pro
voke
Third Person
provokes
Present Participle
provoking
Past Tense
provoked
Past Participle
provoked
1
to give rise to a certain reaction or feeling, particularly suddenly
transitive
- The unexpected news had the power to provoke a range of emotions, from surprise to disbelief.
- His thoughtless comment managed to provoke anger among the members of the team.
- The controversial artwork was intended to provoke thought and discussion about societal norms.
- The sudden change in weather could provoke anxiety in those with a fear of storms.
- The comedian's sharp wit could easily provoke laughter even in the most serious audiences.
Synonyms:
2
to intentionally stimulate or encourage someone's thoughts, actions, or emotions
transitive
- The teacher used thought-provoking questions to provoke critical thinking and discussion.
- The scientist's groundbreaking research aimed to provoke a shift in our understanding of the natural world.
- The challenging puzzle was designed to provoke problem-solving skills and mental agility.
- Her artwork aimed to provoke contemplation.
Synonyms:
3
to intentionally annoy someone so that they become angry
transitive
- His sarcastic remarks were meant to provoke his sister, but she remained unfazed.
- The constant teasing began to provoke him, leading to a heated argument with his classmates.
- The mischievous student would often provoke the teacher by challenging the rules in class.
- It was clear that the journalist's intent was to provoke the interviewee with controversial questions.
- The opposing teams engaged in trash talk, attempting to provoke each other before the big game.