provoke
Translation
to provoke, to incite, to cause, to anger
Examples
Don't provoke the dog.
Don't provoke the dog.
The article provoked a debate.
The article provoked a debate.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to make sb. angry He was trying to provoke me.
((sth.)) to cause a reaction The decision provoked an outcry.
((sb.)) ((into -ing)) to make sb. do sth. by annoying them They provoked him into losing his temper.
Similar Words
Synonyms: incite, arouse, anger, cause; Antonyms: soothe, pacify, prevent
Etymology
From Latin 'pro-' (forth) + 'vocare' (to call). Literally 'to call forth'.
Memory Tips
To 'call forth' a reaction from someone or something. Imagine calling a bull forth by waving a red flag.