provoke

//prəˈvoʊk//
B2Frequency Level 9Neutral
Visual representation of provoke

Verb

provokeInfinitive
provokePresent tense
provokedPast tense
provokedPast participle
provokingPresent participle
provokesThird-person singular
1

to deliberately make someone angry or annoyed

He kept provoking her until she lost her temper.

2

to cause a particular reaction or feeling, especially a strong or unwanted one

The announcement provoked anger among the employees.

3

to incite or stimulate someone to do something, especially by arousing anger or another strong emotion

His comments provoked her to speak out against the injustice.