provoke

verb

prə-ˈvōk How to pronounce provoke (audio)
Definition of provokenext
1
as in to encourage
to rouse to strong feeling or action his teasing finally provoked her to anger bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to raise
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word provoke different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of provoke are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

In what contexts can exasperate take the place of provoke?

The synonyms exasperate and provoke are sometimes interchangeable, but exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When could irritate be used to replace provoke?

While in some cases nearly identical to provoke, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is it sensible to use nettle instead of provoke?

The meanings of nettle and provoke largely overlap; however, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When might peeve be a better fit than provoke?

The words peeve and provoke can be used in similar contexts, but peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When is rile a more appropriate choice than provoke?

Although the words rile and provoke have much in common, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of provoke And didn’t the rioters provoke all of this by setting Paris aflame? —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025 Without a formal defense pact with Washington, maintaining the current thaw with Tehran is especially important—particularly if pressure from Israel or the Trump Administration provokes Iran to retaliate against America’s regional partners. —Ian Bremmer, Time, 12 May 2025 Even so, the symptoms are provoked by very different things. —Md Published, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025 The civilian killings have provoked widespread outrage and condemnation in India and around the world. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for provoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke
  1. encourage
  2. raise
  3. stimulate
  4. promote
  5. stir
  6. trigger
  7. arouse
  8. incite
Verb
  • There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • They’re encouraged to speak up, not penalized for it.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Stay hydrated: Since dry mouth raises gum disease risk, make sure to drink plenty of water.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 May 2025
  • But the inclusion of migrants, the vast majority of whom were not listed in CBP data as having been accused of any felonies, raises deeper questions about what kind of data belongs in a criminal database.
    — Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 29 May 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • These wildfires, while destructive, have also provided researchers with insights into giant sequoia ecology, revealing that moderate-severity burns can stimulate seed release and create favorable germination conditions.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Muscles, heart rate, strength, motor control — and the brain — all are stimulated by exercise.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2025
Definition of stimulate
Verb
  • The Royals promoted Caglianone to Triple-A Omaha a week ago — Sunday, May 18.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
  • To take Bregman’s place on the roster, the Red Sox promoted top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer, who started at third base and batted sixth in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 25 May 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Leia forms the Resistance Senator Leia Organa discovers a new danger stirring in the galaxy: the First Order.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Transfer onions to a medium bowl and stir in Worcestershire sauce.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Definition of stir
Verb
  • The decision triggered a federal investigation, which ultimately resulted in no charges.
    — Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
  • That passage marked the start of more frequent financial warnings from Dimon, including worries of a recession — which didn’t happen until the 2020 pandemic triggered a two-month contraction — as well as concerns around market meltdowns and the ballooning U.S. deficit.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • Cassie admitted that ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • Sidelining people who voiced those views aroused righteous wrath.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Definition of arouse
Verb
  • Introduced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee under Chairman Brett Guthrie, the proposal has incited swift condemnation from state attorneys general, children’s advocacy organizations and civil society groups.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Vidya Balan has long been a pioneer in Hindi Cinema — or Bollywood as it’s more often called — inciting change in the portrayal of women through her mold-breaking leading roles.
    — Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Definition of incite

Browse Nearby Words

provocativeness
provoke
provoked
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Cite this Entry

“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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