Skip to content

What is another word for Provoke? – 264 Provoke Synonyms

    Need another word for Provoke? Use these synonyms of Provoke from our thesaurus to say it differently.


    Synonyms & Similar Words

    anger annoy irritate infuriate exasperate vex inflame incense enrage outrage offend affront insult taunt tease goad prod urge encourage prompt stimulate motivate instigate foment agitate disturb ruffle rouse arouse awaken kindle spark ignite inflame incite instill evoke elicit provoke tempt entice lure coax persuade influence sway induce impel drive push press compel coerce force intimidate menace threaten challenge defy dare invite summon call beckon rally mobilize activate energize excite thrill electrify

    Meaning of Provoke

    to stimulate or give rise to a reaction, especially a strong or angry one

    Definitions

    • to stimulate or give rise to a reaction, especially a strong or angry one
    • * to deliberately cause someone to feel annoyed or angry
    • * to stimulate someone's interest or curiosity

    Etymology of Provoke

    The word "provoke" comes from the Old French word "provocquer", which is derived from the Latin word "provocare", meaning "to call forth" or "to challenge"
    Historically, the word "provoke" has been used in various contexts, including law, where it referred to the act of challenging someone to a duel, and in psychology, where it refers to the process of stimulating a reaction or response

    Example Uses

    • The controversial statement was designed to provoke a reaction from the audience
    • * Her comments provoked a heated debate among the panelists
    • * The artist's intention was to provoke thought and challenge people's assumptions

    Antonyms & Near Antonyms

    calm soothe placate appease pacify mollify alleviate mitigate assuage comfort console reassure tranquilize sedate dull numb blunt temper moderate restrain suppress stifle smother extinguish quell quash crush silence still hush quiet gentle soften ease relieve lighten

    Related Nouns

    stimulus response reaction provocation irritation annoyance anger outrage indignation offense insult affront challenge defiance dare summons call beckon rally mobilization activation excitement thrill electrification interest curiosity fascination allure enticement lure temptation persuasion influence sway inducement impetus drive push press compulsion coercion force intimidation menace threat

    Related Verbs

    stimulate provoke irritate annoy anger infuriate exasperate vex inflame incense enrage outrage offend affront insult taunt tease goad prod urge encourage prompt motivate instigate foment agitate disturb ruffle rouse arouse awaken kindle spark ignite incite instill evoke elicit tempt entice lure coax persuade influence sway induce impel drive push press compel coerce force intimidate menace threaten

    Related Adjectives

    provocative stimulating irritating annoying angering infuriating exasperating vexing inflaming incensing enraging outrageous offending affronting insulting taunting teasing goading prodding urging encouraging prompting motivating instigating fomenting agitating disturbing ruffling rousing arousing awakening kindling sparking igniting inciting instilling evoking eliciting tempting enticing luring coaxing persuasive influential swaying inducing impelling driving pushing pressing compelling coercive forceful intimidating menacing threatening