provoke

verb

pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk 

provoked; provoking

transitive verb

1

a

: to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke

provoke laughter

b

: to stir up purposely

provoke a fight

c

: to provide the needed stimulus for

will provoke a lot of discussion

2

a

: to incite to anger

b

archaic : to arouse to a feeling or action

provoker noun

Synonyms

• encourage
• stimulate
• stir
• arouse
• inspire
• incite

Choose the Right Synonym for provoke

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking.

provoke directs attention to the response called forth.

my stories usually provoke laughter

excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.

news that excited anger and frustration

stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference.

stimulating conversation

pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge.

that remark piqued my interest

quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively.

the high salary quickened her desire to have the job

synonyms see in addition irritate

Examples of provoke in a Sentence

His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.

He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.

The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a futurist, my role was to provoke fresh insight and decisive action. —Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Casey Durkin—Bravo While Jax, surely at the urging of producers, tried to provoke Kristen by questioning her fertility choices, nothing major happened in the premiere. —Judy Berman, Time, 13 Aug. 2025

The plan has provoked harsh criticism from the families of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are presumed to be alive, warning that the new military move could endanger the living hostages and sentence them to death. —Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025

Instead, theater companies are finding room to promote up-and-coming artists whose stories have long been marginalized or to present new works that provoke discussion. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French *provoker, provocher, from Latin provocare, from pro- forth + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at pro-, voice

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for provoke

• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• revoke

Kids Definition

provoke

verb

pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk 

provoked; provoking

1

: to excite to anger

2

: to stir up : bring about

provoke an argument

Etymology

Middle English provoken "to arouse to strong feeling or action," from early French provoquer (same meaning), from Latin provocare "to call forth, stir up," from pro- "forth, forward" and vocare "to call" — related to advocate, revoke, vocation

Medical Definition

provoke

transitive verb

pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk 

provoked; provoking

: to induce (a physical reaction)

ipecac provokes vomiting

Legal Definition

provoke

transitive verb

pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk 

provoked; provoking

1

: to incite to anger

2

: to provide the needed stimulus for

provoker noun