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Meaning of provoke in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /prəˈvoʊk/

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  1. Verb

    provoke

    Etymology

    late Middle English (also in the sense ‘invoke, summon’): from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare‘challenge’, from pro-‘forth’ + vocare‘to call’

    Definitions

    1. call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

    Examples

    • « arouse pity »
    • « raise a smile »
    • « evoke sympathy »
  2. 2. call forth

    Examples

    • « Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple »
  3. 3. provide the needed stimulus for
  4. 4. annoy continually or chronically

    Examples

    • « He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked »
    • « This man harasses his female co-workers »

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