Meaning & Definition of Provoke in English
English⟶
Provoke
/prəvoʊk/
verb
1. Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
- "Arouse pity"
- "Raise a smile"
- "Evoke sympathy"
synonym:
- arouse,
- elicit,
- enkindle,
- kindle,
- evoke,
- fire,
- raise,
- provoke
2. Evoke or provoke to appear or occur
- "Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple"
synonym:
- provoke,
- evoke,
- call forth,
- kick up
3. Provide the needed stimulus for
synonym:
- provoke,
- stimulate
4. Annoy continually or chronically
- "He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked"
- "This man harasses his female co-workers"
synonym:
- harass,
- hassle,
- harry,
- chivy,
- chivvy,
- chevy,
- chevvy,
- beset,
- plague,
- molest,
- provoke
Examples of using
He was always trying to provoke an argument.
A facet of genius is the ability to provoke scandals.