PROVOKE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'provoke' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of provoke are exasperate , irritate , nettle , peeve , and rile . While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action. // remarks made solely to provoke her

Q: In what contexts can 'exasperate' take the place of 'provoke'?

The synonyms exasperate and provoke are sometimes interchangeable, but exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience. // his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

Q: When could 'irritate' be used to replace 'provoke'?

While in some cases nearly identical to provoke , irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage. // constant nagging that irritated me greatly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nettle' instead of 'provoke'?

The meanings of nettle and provoke largely overlap; however, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging. // your pompous attitude nettled several people

Q: When might 'peeve' be a better fit than 'provoke'?

The words peeve and provoke can be used in similar contexts, but peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation. // a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Q: When is 'rile' a more appropriate choice than 'provoke'?

Although the words rile and provoke have much in common, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation. // the new work schedules riled the employees

provoke

verb

prə-ˈvōk

Definition of provoke next

as in to encourage

to rouse to strong feeling or action his teasing finally provoked her to anger bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to raise

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word provoke different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of provoke are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

In what contexts can exasperate take the place of provoke?

The synonyms exasperate and provoke are sometimes interchangeable, but exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When could irritate be used to replace provoke?

While in some cases nearly identical to provoke, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is it sensible to use nettle instead of provoke?

The meanings of nettle and provoke largely overlap; however, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When might peeve be a better fit than provoke?

The words peeve and provoke can be used in similar contexts, but peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When is rile a more appropriate choice than provoke?

Although the words rile and provoke have much in common, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of provoke Temperatures reached historic highs Historic high temperatures in 2003, surpassed this time, were blamed for 15,000 deaths, provoking a national reckoning about care of older people, who were particularly hard-hit. —

John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Historic high temperatures in 2003, surpassed this time, were blamed for 15,000 deaths, provoking a national reckoning about care of older people, who were particularly hard-hit. —

ABC News, 29 June 2026 Introducing such evidence can provoke sympathy for the defendant and distrust towards the prosecuting attorney, potentially undermining the case. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 There was no depth to it, no hint of recognition of the horror that had provoked it. —

Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for provoke

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke

Verb

Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.

— David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Going forward, the city will encourage data center developers to submit an application for a special use district, meaning the site would specifically be used for a data center, nothing else.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

But the data center boom has raised many questions about land use, the resources the complexes consume and the risk of costs being spread to other Georgia residents and businesses.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Gonzales ran with a platform decisively to the left, supporting Medicare-for-all, raising the minimum wage and cracking down on junk fees.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.

— Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The company threw a lavish caviar party at Cannes and in May hosted panels promoting its cinematic tool at Amazon’s AI on the Lot event in Culver City.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Your 3rd House of Communication is stirred by the temperamental Moon, while the life-giving Sun boosts your 7th House of Partnership, aligning words with steady commitments.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
Make sure to stir the ice cream to the consistency of frozen yogurt before spreading and freezing the cake to help prevent air bubbles and create neat layers.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

By triggering the release of a natural growth factor in the brain and modulating neural pathways associated with addiction and reward, ibogaine restores healthy dopamine function and reduces cravings, Barsuglia said.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Vibrations from earth-moving equipment could have triggered further collapses, possibly dooming Gil — and his would-be rescuers.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

Another wrinkle of the law has incited ample speculation about Marshall, Kansas’ junior Republican senator, who is facing his first reelection bid this fall.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026