provoke desire

USAGE SUMMARY

'provoke desire' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that arouses or stirs up a feeling of longing in someone. For example, "His words provoked a desire in me to explore the world and find my own path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet a photograph's ability to provoke desire remains true today and can be found each week in Jonathan Lovekin's images, which accompany Nigel Slater's recipes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The images of snow, which provoke desires for a spiritual life, transition into an analysis of the four classical elements of fire, earth, air and water and how fire is the primary element of the four.

Wikipedia

In "Diary," Minnie describes her excitement at provoking desire in adult men in a bar (as well as her revulsion when they respond).

The New York Times - Magazine

One pair of Christian Louboutins glinting like jewels on a rotating mirrored pedestal provokes desire.

Huffington Post

Though they brim with information, they also provoke a desire for knowledge, and seem to promise it, but ultimately they fall profoundly silent and still".

The Guardian - Arts

Ten years before, in Bathsheba at Her Bath, he had posed Hendrickje's undressed body in such a way as to provoke both desire and remorse, precoital greed and postcoital shame.

The Guardian - Arts

The other disposes of rivals.Shopping, that most urgent and tiresome activity at this time of the year, may seem to have little to do with either music or murder, beyond the mindless jingles in every store that provoke a desire to dispose of the manager who chose the playlist.

The Economist

A successful novel is also a sort of swindle (making a fiction sound convincing, misleading the reader about where things are going), although with the difference that a good one should provoke a desire to be duped by the same person again.

The Guardian - Books

A successful novel is also a sort of swindle (making a fiction sound convincing, misleading the reader about where things are going), although with the difference that a good one should provoke a desire to be duped by the same person again.

The Guardian - Books

That it might provoke a desire to smoke is thus no surprise.Scott Heuttel, a neuroscientist at Duke University, in North Carolina, says that it has long been known that visual cues induce drug cravings, and that this study builds on a growing body of evidence showing that addiction may be reinforced not just by the drugs themselves but by images and other experiences associated with those drugs.

The Economist

Seeing images of some of these areas provoke the desire in many outsiders to go and see them for themselves.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of stimulating longing in something, consider stronger alternatives, like "ignite desire" or "awaken desire", depending on the intensity.

Common error

While "provoke desire" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal contexts can sound melodramatic. Consider using less evocative phrasing, such as "stimulate interest" or "encourage participation", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke desire" functions as a verb phrase. The verb "provoke" acts upon the noun "desire", indicating the act of causing or stimulating a feeling of wanting or longing. Ludwig provides examples where images and experiences are described as having the ability to "provoke desire".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke desire" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of inciting a strong feeling of wanting or longing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media. Although its usage is somewhat rare, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal register. When using "provoke desire", it is important to be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in overly formal contexts. Alternatives such as "arouse desire" or "stir desire", may provide a more subtle nuance. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse desire

Focuses on awakening or bringing desire to a state of activity.

incite desire

Implies a more active and potentially stronger stimulation of desire.

evoke desire

Emphasizes the calling forth of desire from within, rather than actively causing it.

trigger desire

Highlights the initiation or setting off of desire by a specific stimulus.

stir desire

Suggests a gentle awakening or activation of pre-existing desire.

spark desire

Suggests a sudden and energetic ignition of desire.

lead to desire

Similar in conveying causation, but focuses on direction toward desire rather than direct incitement.

foster desire

Conveys the nurturing and gradual development of desire over time.

generate desire

Focuses on the creation of desire where it previously did not exist.

instigate longing

Shifts the focus to a specific emotion (longing) as the outcome of the provocation.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke desire" to describe something that incites a strong feeling of wanting or longing. For example, "The advertisement was designed to "provoke desire" for the new product."

What are some alternatives to "provoke desire"?

Some alternatives to "provoke desire" include "arouse desire", "stir desire", or "incite desire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "provoke desire" formal or informal?

"Provoke desire" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more appropriate for creative writing or persuasive contexts where a stronger emotional effect is intended.

What's the difference between "provoke desire" and "create desire"?

"Provoke desire" implies that there was some underlying potential for desire that was then stimulated, while "create desire" suggests that the desire did not exist at all before and was entirely new. Using "provoke desire" suggests there’s an element already there.