Provoke: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when deliberately causing someone to react negatively or aggressively. Often associated with eliciting a strong emotional response.

• His comments were intended to provoke an angry reaction.
• The new policy has provoked fierce debate.

Used when encouraging or stirring up people to act, often in a negative or unlawful manner. Conveys a stronger sense of urging action than 'provoke'.

• The leader was accused of inciting violence.
• His speech incited the crowd to protest.

Used in severe contexts, often related to heightening strong emotions or tensions, usually negative, such as anger or conflict.

• The politician's statements inflamed public opinion.
• The news reports only served to inflame tensions.

Used to describe stirring up a specific emotion or reaction, often positive or neutral, such as curiosity, interest, or awareness.

• The book aroused a lot of interest in the community.
• The speech aroused public sentiment.

Commonly used to describe something that causes a sudden and strong reaction, often unexpected and negative. Frequently associated with mental health reactions.

• The loud noise triggered her anxiety.
• The discussion about the accident triggered painful memories.

Used in situations where someone is intentionally causing another person to become hostile or unfriendly.

• She didn't want to antagonize her boss by bringing up the issue.
• His attitude is likely to antagonize his co-workers.

You provoke someone when you want to elicit a reaction, often intentionally. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts but often implies causing trouble or tension.

• His comments were meant to provoke a discussion
• She managed to provoke the dog's aggression

Irritate often means causing discomfort or slight anger, often through repetitive actions or minor issues, causing someone to feel annoyed.

• The chemical in the lotion can irritate your skin
• His constant questions began to irritate the teacher

Annoy refers to causing slight irritation or bother. It's generally less intense than anger or infuriate.

• The constant noise in the office builds up and annoys everyone
• He always taps his fingers on the desk, which annoys me

Anger is typically used when you cause someone to feel strong displeasure or hostility. It's a direct term to describe making someone mad.

• His rude remarks angered her
• The unfair rules angered many people in the office

To infuriate someone means causing them to become extremely angry. This is a very intense term and indicates a strong reaction.

• The long delays and poor service infuriated the customers
• Her blatant lies infuriated him beyond belief