provoked; provoking
1
2
a
: to incite to anger
b
archaic
: to arouse to a feeling or action
provoker
noun
Examples of provoke in a Sentence
His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Couple that with an alarming increase in misogyny in both politics and the culture at large, and women in the public eye are at constant risk of accidentally provoking these types of hate campaigns.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 June 2025
The 1925 offside rule, therefore, initially created incredibly attack-minded football, and then provoked considerably more cautious football.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Manage your devices The breakneck speed of technology can activate your stress response, provoking a cortisol/dopamine squirt.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Speaking at a press conference, Bass accused the Trump administration of provoking unrest, suggesting that California may be part of a broader effort to test federal authority over state and local governments.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
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Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 June 2025
The 1925 offside rule, therefore, initially created incredibly attack-minded football, and then provoked considerably more cautious football.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Manage your devices The breakneck speed of technology can activate your stress response, provoking a cortisol/dopamine squirt.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Speaking at a press conference, Bass accused the Trump administration of provoking unrest, suggesting that California may be part of a broader effort to test federal authority over state and local governments.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provoke. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provoke
verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk 
provoked; provoking
1
: to excite to anger
2
: to stir up : bring about
provoke an argument
Medical Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
: to induce (a physical reaction)
ipecac provokes vomiting
Legal Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
1
: to incite to anger
2
: to provide the needed stimulus for
provoker
noun
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