PROVOKE Synonyms

• give an incentive for action

• provoke or stir up

• urge on; cause to act

• cause inflammation in

• catch fire

• cause to start burning

• arouse or excite feelings and passions

• become inflamed; get sore

• provoke or stir up

• serve as the inciting cause of

• catch fire

• cause to start burning

• call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

• become active

• force or drive out

• cause to be agitated, excited, or roused

• cause to become awake or conscious

• act as a stimulant

• cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner

• stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of

• cause to be alert and energetic

• cause to occur rapidly

• stir feelings in

• provide the needed stimulus for

• make worse

• exasperate or irritate

• cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

• anything that serves as an enticement

• something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed

• harass with persistent criticism or carping

• lure, entice, or entrap with bait

• attack with dogs or set dogs upon

• an angry disturbance

• something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness

• take the trouble to do something; concern oneself

• cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

• to cause inconvenience or discomfort to

• intrude or enter uninvited

• make nervous or agitated

• make confused or perplexed or puzzled

• a demanding or stimulating situation

• a call to engage in a contest or fight

• questioning a statement and demanding an explanation

• a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror

• a demand by a sentry for a password or identification

• take exception to

• issue a challenge to

• ask for identification

• raise a formal objection in a court of law

• make furious

• cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

• excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame

• excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus

• cause to feel resentment or indignation

• act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

• strike with disgust or revulsion

• hurt the feelings of

• tightly woven fabric with raised cords

• a sudden outburst of anger

• cause to feel resentment or indignation

• a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

• any sharply pointed projection

• tubular extension at the base of the corolla in some flowers

• a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward

• a railway line connected to a trunk line

• incite or stimulate

• give heart or courage to

• strike with a spur

• goad with spurs

• equip with spurs

• someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity)

• a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

• the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances

• annoy persistently

• harass with persistent criticism or carping

• to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them

• tear into pieces

• raise the nap of (fabrics)

• disentangle and raise the fibers of

• separate the fibers of

• mock or make fun of playfully

• ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect

• a cutaneous sensation often resulting from light stroking

• the act of tickling

• touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

• feel sudden intense sensation or emotion

• touch or stroke lightly

• cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

• disturb the peace of mind of; afflict with mental agitation or distress

• change the arrangement or position of

• subject to prolonged examination, discussion, or deliberation

• be a mystery or bewildering to