provoke hostility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke hostility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that incite anger or aggression in others. Example: "His comments during the meeting seemed to provoke hostility among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Palitzsch was never afraid to provoke hostility.

The Guardian

Whatever he does will provoke hostility from some quarter.

The Economist

Mahoka, whose organisation is partly funded by UK aid, has to disguise the nature of her group's work, calling it "rural education and economic enhancement" so as not to provoke hostility among traditionalists in the community.

The Guardian

A war or a warlike situation can provoke hostility toward certain immigrant groups or other minorities perceived as the "enemy": Japanese Americans were treated in this way during World War II, as were many Muslims in Western countries after the terrorist September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He added that words have an extraordinary power to bring people together or to divide them, to forge bonds of friendship or to provoke hostility.

Huffington Post

But there is a risk, said Korea watcher Bruce Klingner, that if Moon seems too much like he's advocating for North Korea he might provoke hostility and mistrust in DC. "He wants to continue improving relations between North and South Korea," said Korea wonk Lisa Collins.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In some quarters, this has provoked hostility.

The Guardian - Opinion

In their own way, the foreign missionaries provoked hostility, too.

The Guardian

But in a country where the authorities view any sort of public protest with trepidation, his position has provoked hostility.

The New York Times

Daily protests continue, but with dwindling turn-outs, often provoking hostility from pro-government citizens.Brotherhood sources recount intense internal debates about what course now to take.

The Economist

And, while there are undeniably substantial passages of Holloway's music that evoke the bittersweetness of Berg or mid-period Schoenberg, it isn't this that provokes hostility.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoke hostility", consider the intensity of the reaction you want to convey. Alternatives like "stir up" or "incite" might be more appropriate for stronger reactions, while "arouse" or "generate" can suggest a more gradual development of negative feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke hostility" in contexts where the reaction is simply disagreement or mild opposition. This phrase implies a strong negative reaction, so ensure the situation warrants such a description. Instead, consider alternatives like "spark debate" or "raise concerns" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke hostility" functions as a verb phrase + noun construction, where "provoke" is the verb indicating the action of causing something, and "hostility" is the noun representing the negative sentiment being caused. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke hostility" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of inciting negative feelings or antagonism. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. While the phrase is not as common as some alternatives, it provides a direct and clear way to convey the idea of causing hostility. When using "provoke hostility", be mindful of the intensity of the reaction you wish to portray and consider alternatives like "stir up hostility" or "incite animosity" based on the specific context. It's important to ensure that the situation truly warrants such a strong negative reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stir up hostility

This alternative replaces "provoke" with "stir up", emphasizing the active instigation of hostile feelings.

incite animosity

This alternative uses "incite" instead of "provoke" and "animosity" instead of "hostility", both suggesting a strong feeling of dislike.

arouse antagonism

This option replaces "provoke" with "arouse" and "hostility" with "antagonism", highlighting the creation of opposition or dislike.

generate ill will

This phrase focuses on the creation of negative feelings or animosity between people.

foster resentment

This suggests the gradual development of bitter indignation or displeasure.

spark outrage

This implies causing sudden and intense anger or shock.

breed animosity

This suggests that animosity is gradually produced over time.

ignite conflict

This phrase indicates the sudden start of a disagreement or struggle.

instigate friction

This highlights the causing of disagreement or tension between individuals or groups.

fuel discord

This suggests adding to an existing state of disagreement or lack of harmony.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke hostility" to describe actions or words that cause strong negative reactions. For example, "His controversial statements tended to provoke hostility among the audience."

What are some alternatives to "provoke hostility"?

Some alternatives include "stir up hostility", "incite animosity", or "arouse antagonism", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "provoke hostility" or "incite hostility"?

Both "provoke hostility" and "incite hostility" are valid, but "incite" often suggests a more deliberate or intentional action to stir up negative feelings.

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

"Provoke hostility" implies that there was a potential for negative feelings which were then triggered, while "create hostility" suggests that the negative feelings did not exist before the action took place; it was made from scratch.