provoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "provoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to inciting a reaction or emotion in someone. Example: "The controversial article was designed to provoke a strong response from its readers." Alternatives include "incite" or "stimulate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farage was the only leader to provoke an emotional reaction, earning laughs and applause from at least two of the male viewers, who had voted Lib Dem and Labour in 2010.

The Guardian

A combination that can provoke interesting reactions to football failure.

The Guardian - Sport

A failed lover, unable to provoke affection even in my own wife.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today, the sole occupant lives off a couple of cows and herbs, yet looks well enough to provoke admiring gazes from female passengers, perhaps dreaming of their own castaway experience.

The Guardian - Travel

Local police chief Keith Hutcheson told the press that the woman was yelling "kill me, kill me" and lunging at officers with her knife – and that she later confessed she had been trying to provoke them into shooting her dead.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Russian media have claimed that snipers were employed by the opposition or western intelligence agencies to provoke Yanukovych's overthrow.

The Guardian

Whether it will provoke any lasting shift in perception or policy is another matter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Above all, it has made risk possible, with its "right to fail" philosophy; this can provoke embarrassment in a big space, but seems perfectly acceptable in a small one.

The Guardian

This is likely to provoke debate on whether advances in medical and surgical treatments, as well as continuing falls in numbers of people smoking, are being undermined by lifestyles, fuelling big increases in the number of overweight or obese people and those with type 2 diabetes.

The Guardian

For Ibrahim, the government's response was another myopic and selfish attempt to curry favour with religious right-wing elements, which represent a growing electorate base for the ruling party, and another "deliberate attempt to provoke religious tensions to give a pretext to clamp down on civil liberties and justify the continuation of the same old race-based policies of the past".

The Guardian - Opinion

He complained that a possible government plan to reduce compensation to farmers would "be less than fair and would provoke real anger".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, clarify what you expect "provoke" to cause; specify the feeling, action, or response the subject incites. Do not just say "it will provoke", but clarify "it will provoke anger" or "it will provoke debate".

Common error

While "provoke" frequently suggests inciting anger or annoyance, it can also mean to elicit any strong reaction or response. Ensure the context makes it clear if you intend a specific emotional outcome or a broader range of reactions.

Linguistic Context

The verb "provoke" functions primarily to express the act of inciting or stimulating a particular reaction or emotion in someone or something. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as provoking an emotional reaction or provoking debate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke" is a frequently used verb that describes the act of inciting a reaction or emotion, predominantly in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct, but notes that it often carries a connotation of instigating negative emotions like anger. When employing "provoke", consider its potential implications and whether a more neutral alternative like "elicit" or "stimulate" might be more appropriate. Remember to clearly specify what outcome the "provoke" action is designed to trigger to improve the overall clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instigate

Implies initiating an action or event, often with a more formal or deliberate connotation than "provoke".

incite

Suggests urging or stirring up to action, often with a negative or violent implication, similar to a strong sense of "provoke".

trigger

Indicates setting off a reaction or process, often used in technical or psychological contexts.

elicit

Focuses on drawing forth a response or reaction, often implying a more subtle or intentional effort than "provoke".

stimulate

Implies encouraging activity or development, often in a positive or constructive sense, in contrast to the possibly negative "provoke".

spark

Suggests initiating a sudden or dramatic reaction, often used metaphorically.

rouse

Implies stirring up from a state of inactivity or apathy, similar to "provoke" in creating a reaction.

stir up

Indicates causing trouble or excitement, often with a negative connotation, akin to "provoke" but more colloquial.

foment

Suggests promoting the growth of something, usually negative like discord or rebellion, sharing the instigative nature of "provoke".

generate

Focuses on creating or producing a response or feeling, offering a more neutral alternative to the potentially negative "provoke".

FAQs

How to use "provoke" in a sentence?

"Provoke" means to incite or stimulate a reaction or emotion. For example, "His comments were intended to "provoke" a discussion" or "Don't "provoke" the dog or it might bite."

What can I say instead of "provoke"?

You can use alternatives like "incite", "trigger", or "elicit" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "provoke" or "evoke"?

"Provoke" means to incite a reaction, often negative, while "evoke" means to bring a feeling, memory, or image into the mind. They are not interchangeable. For example, "The speech was designed to "provoke" anger", versus "The music "evoked" memories of childhood".

What's the difference between "provoke" and "instigate"?

"Provoke" often implies inciting a reaction (like anger), while "instigate" means to initiate an action or event. "Provoke" focuses on response, "instigate" on initiation.