Provoke

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PROVOKED (pro-vōkt'); p. pr. & vb. n. PROVOKING.] [Fr. provoquer, Pr., Sp., & Pg. provocar, It. & Lat. provocare, from Lat. pro, forth, and vocare, to call, from vox, vocis, voice, cry, call.]

1Sense 1. To call forth; to excite or stimulate to action; to arouse.

Such acts Of contumacy will provoke the Highest To make death in us live. Milton. Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust? Gray.

2Sense 2. Especially, to arouse to anger or passion; to incense; to offend.

Being so far provoked as I was in France, I would abate her nothing. Shak.

3Sense 3. To incite; to stir up; to challenge. [Obs.]

Whom . . . I openly protest against, and provoke him to the trial of this truth before all the world. Milton. He now provokes the sea-gods from the shore. Dryden.

Synonyms— To irritate; arouse; stir up; awake; excite; incite; anger. See IRRITATE.