Provoke Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
😡
provoke
[prəˈvəʊk ]
Definitions
in a conflict
Stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone.
Synonyms
antagonize, arouse, incite, inflame, trigger.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
provoke |
Used when deliberately causing someone to react negatively or aggressively. Often associated with eliciting a strong emotional response.
|
incite |
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'.
|
inflame |
Used in severe contexts, often related to heightening strong emotions or tensions, usually negative, such as anger or conflict.
|
arouse |
Used to describe stirring up a specific emotion or reaction, often positive or neutral, such as curiosity, interest, or awareness.
|
trigger |
Commonly used to describe something that causes a sudden and strong reaction, often unexpected and negative. Frequently associated with mental health reactions.
|
antagonize |
Used in situations where someone is intentionally causing another person to become hostile or unfriendly.
|
Examples of usage
- His comments provoked a heated debate among the students.
- The controversial article provoked outrage among the readers.
in a person
Deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry.
Synonyms
anger, annoy, infuriate, irritate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
provoke |
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.
|
irritate |
Irritate often means causing discomfort or slight anger, often through repetitive actions or minor issues, causing someone to feel annoyed.
|
annoy |
Annoy refers to causing slight irritation or bother. It's generally less intense than anger or infuriate.
|
anger |
Anger is typically used when you cause someone to feel strong displeasure or hostility. It's a direct term to describe making someone mad.
|
infuriate |
To infuriate someone means causing them to become extremely angry. This is a very intense term and indicates a strong reaction.
|
Examples of usage
- She was provoked by his constant teasing.
- He knew that bringing up the topic would provoke her.
in animals
Stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion) in an animal.
Synonyms
agitate, enrage, inflame, stir up.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
provoke |
Used when causing someone to become annoyed or angry, often intentionally. It doesn't always imply a very intense emotion.
|
agitate |
Used when disturbing or upseting someone physically or emotionally. Can also refer to causing anxiety or worry.
|
enrage |
Used when making someone extremely angry. It implies a very intense and often uncontrollable emotion.
|
stir up |
Used when causing strong emotions or creating trouble. It implies initiating or intensifying certain reactions or situations.
|
inflame |
Used when intensifying someone's feelings, often emotions like anger or passion. It can also imply causing a situation to become more heated or severe.
|
Examples of usage
- The bull was provoked by the red flag waved by the matador.
- It's important not to provoke wild animals in their natural habitat.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Research shows that provoking emotions can lead to more intense behavioral responses, often seen in social situations.
- Provocation can serve as a tool for therapists to help clients express hidden emotions.
Literature
- Classic literature often uses provocation as a plot device to move characters into conflict and development.
- Famous authors like Shakespeare included characters who provoke others to highlight moral dilemmas.
Politics
- Political rhetoric often employs provocation to rally supporters or incite debate on controversial issues.
- Protest movements frequently provoke responses from authorities, sparking dialogue about rights and freedoms.
Art
- Contemporary artists use provocation through bold statements in their work to challenge societal norms.
- Street art often aims to provoke thought and discussion about public issues and injustices.
Origin of 'provoke'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'provoke' traces back to the Latin 'provocare', meaning 'to call forth'.
- In Old French, it transformed into 'provoker', maintaining its meaning of inciting reaction.
The word 'provoke' originated from the Latin word 'provocare', which means 'to call forth'. It entered the English language in the late 14th century. The term has evolved over time to encompass the idea of stimulating a reaction or emotion in someone or something. The concept of provocation has been a key element in understanding human behavior and animal responses in various situations.
See also: provocateur, provocation, provocative, provocatively, provoker, provoking, provokingly, unprovoked.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranked #10,355, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.
- ...
- 10352 rebuilding
- 10353 clung
- 10354 disseminated
- 10355 provoke
- 10356 sow
- 10357 trumpet
- 10358 pretending
- ...