provoke anger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke anger" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to intentionally cause someone to become angry. Example: The politician's inflammatory remarks provoked anger among the crowd.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is likely to provoke anger here once people wake.

The New York Times

Down in southern Texas there is no five-letter word more likely to provoke anger.

The Economist

Some people use 'I can say what I want' to abuse people and provoke anger.

Independent

Any discussion of numbers is sensitive here, and comparisons provoke anger on both sides.

The New York Times

It is understandable that anything he saw as besmirching that faith or loyalty would provoke anger.

The New York Times - Books

Two kinds of critics provoke anger: bad ones and great ones.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The guidelines provoked anger and derision in equal measure.

The Economist

The Australian's cartoon has provoked anger in India.

The Guardian

Drone strikes have provoked anger from Yemen to Pakistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Helmer provoked anger after he said some people find homosexuality "distasteful if not viscerally repugnant".

Independent

His admission when he appeared before the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee provoked anger among civil liberties groups.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke anger" when you want to emphasize a direct and intentional act that leads to someone becoming angry. This phrase is effective for highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between an action and the emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke anger" when the anger arises from unintentional or indirect causes. Instead, use phrases like "cause anger" or "lead to anger" to better reflect the lack of deliberate intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke anger" functions as a verb phrase, where "provoke" is a transitive verb and "anger" is its direct object. It describes the action of intentionally causing someone to feel anger. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provoke anger" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that means to intentionally cause someone to become angry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in contexts like News & Media, highlighting its role in describing cause-and-effect relationships between actions and emotional responses. When using "provoke anger", consider its intentional connotation and whether a more neutral alternative like "cause anger" might be more appropriate. Remember to tailor your choice based on the context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse anger

Replaces "provoke" with "arouse", suggesting a less intentional instigation of anger.

incite anger

Replaces "provoke" with "incite", implying a stronger instigation of anger.

trigger anger

Replaces "provoke" with "trigger", suggesting an immediate reaction of anger.

cause anger

More general, replacing "provoke" with "cause", simply indicating anger as a result.

instigate anger

Replaces "provoke" with "instigate", emphasizing the act of initiating anger.

generate anger

Replaces "provoke" with "generate", suggesting a creation or production of anger.

spark anger

Replaces "provoke" with "spark", implying a sudden outburst of anger.

elicit anger

Replaces "provoke" with "elicit", implying that anger is drawn out from someone.

foment anger

Replaces "provoke" with "foment", suggesting the encouragement of anger that already exists.

stir up anger

Replaces "provoke" with "stir up", suggesting a more active and intentional encouragement of anger.

FAQs

How can I use "provoke anger" in a sentence?

You can use "provoke anger" to describe actions or words that intentionally cause someone to become angry. For example, "The politician's inflammatory speech provoked anger among the voters."

What are some alternatives to "provoke anger"?

Some alternatives include "arouse anger", "incite anger", or "trigger anger". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "provoke anger" and "cause anger"?

"Provoke anger" typically suggests a more direct and intentional action that leads to anger, while "cause anger" is a more general term that can refer to both intentional and unintentional causes.

Is it always negative to "provoke anger"?

While often negative, "provoke anger" can sometimes be used strategically to challenge the status quo or to motivate change. However, it should be used cautiously as it can easily backfire.