provoke
B2Formal to neutral; common in written analysis, journalism, and spoken discourse about conflict or reaction.
Definition
Meaning
To deliberately make someone feel a strong, typically negative, emotion; to cause a reaction or action, often an angry or violent one.
To stimulate or give rise to (a reaction, thought, discussion, or condition) through deliberate action.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive. Strongly implies intentionality; the provoked reaction is often seen as a direct, even predictable, result. Can be used with abstract nouns (e.g., 'provoke debate', 'provoke thought').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or grammatical usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American everyday speech. In both varieties, carries a strong sense of deliberate causation.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] provokes [NP] (He provoked an argument.)[NP] provokes [NP] to [INF] (The article provoked readers to complain.)[NP] provokes [NP] into [V-ing] (She provoked him into leaving.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to provoke the ire of someone”
- “a red rag to a bull (something that provokes anger)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new policy is likely to provoke strong opposition from the unions.
Academic
The author's thesis provoked a fundamental reassessment of the historical period.
Everyday
Please don't provoke your brother when he's in a bad mood.
Technical
The chemical agent can provoke a severe dermatological reaction.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- His rudeness provoked a formal complaint from the client.
- The minister's remarks have provoked a real stink in the press.
American English
- The court's decision is sure to provoke a backlash.
- She knew how to provoke him into an argument.
adverb
British English
- He smiled provokingly, knowing it would annoy her.
- The question was posed provocatively.
American English
- She dressed provocatively for the event.
- He stated his opinion provocatively, just to get a reaction.
adjective
British English
- The most provocative article was removed from the website.
- He made a provokingly simplistic argument.
American English
- She found his silence more provocative than any insult.
- It was a deliberately provocative gesture.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud noise provoked the dog to bark.
- Don't provoke your sister!
- The new tax provoked anger among drivers.
- His funny story provoked laughter from the audience.
- The journalist's questions were designed to provoke a confession.
- Such a major change is bound to provoke considerable debate.
- The regime's brutal crackdown only served to provoke further civil unrest.
- The philosopher's work provokes us to question our most basic assumptions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PRO (forward) + VOKE (to call, as in 'vocal'). To 'call forward' a reaction from someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS HEAT/A PRESSURE COOKER ('His comments provoked a simmering anger that finally boiled over.'), CAUSATION IS PROVOKING ('The scandal provoked a crisis.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'вызывать' в нейтральном смысле (to call for someone). 'Provoke' всегда подразумевает сильную, часто негативную реакцию. Более близкие аналоги: 'провоцировать', 'вызывать (гнев, реакцию)'.
- Russian 'раздражать' (to irritate) is weaker and more constant; 'provoke' is a more direct, single action causing a sharper reaction.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without a clear agent of action (e.g., 'The situation provoked' is incomplete; needs 'the situation provoked a crisis').
- Confusing with 'evoke', which is softer and often for memories or emotions (evoke nostalgia vs. provoke outrage).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'provoke' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but not exclusively. It can be used neutrally or positively (e.g., 'provoke thought', 'provoke laughter'), though the core sense involves causing a strong, noticeable reaction.
'Provoke' strongly implies intention and an immediate, often emotional, reaction. 'Cause' is broader and more neutral, covering any causative relationship (e.g., 'The rain caused the flood').
Rarely in active voice. It is a transitive verb and typically requires an object (what is provoked: a reaction, person, etc.). The passive voice is common ('He was easily provoked').
'Irritate'/'annoy' suggest a milder, more persistent feeling of annoyance. 'Provoke' is a stronger, more direct action leading to a sharper, often more immediate reaction like anger or retaliation.