Antonyms for provoke


Grammar : Verb
Spell : pruh-vohk
Phonetic Transcription : prəˈvoʊk


Definition of provoke

Origin :
  • late 14c., from Old French provoker, provochier (12c., Modern French provoquer) and directly from Latin provocare "call forth, challenge," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + vocare "to call" (see voice (n.)). Related: Provoked; provoking.
  • verb make angry
  • verb start, evoke; stimulate
Example sentences :
  • All of them, at the same time, are afraid of Mr. Lovelace; yet not afraid to provoke him!
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • The proper business of an ‘agent provocateur’ is to provoke.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • The worst of it was, I did not provoke him as much as I expected.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • I told him I had hitherto spared him, but wished him not to provoke me further.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier
  • Nay, says she, since you provoke me, I will mention one instance.
  • Extract from : « Joseph Andrews, Vol. 2 » by Henry Fielding
  • Ah, you provoke me with these refinements; you turn from a happiness you have but to demand.
  • Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • It was a dinner to provoke an appetite, though he had not had one.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • Have a care, Jinkins, ere you provoke a desperate man to frenzy!
  • Extract from : « Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit » by Charles Dickens
  • Some of the inscriptions were so artless as to provoke a smile.
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • But will you promise me, Phil, whatever she says—you won't let her provoke you this day.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

Synonyms for provoke

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019