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Added 9 October 2026

provoke

/pɹəˈvəʊk/ verb

In Latin: lacessō, prōvocō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about provoke at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To cause someone to become annoyed or angry.
Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.
To bring about a reaction.
To appeal.

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French provoquer, from Old French, from Latin prōvocāre. Doublet of provocate.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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