definition of
provoke

[1] #1 provoke v. [arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise] call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses); "arouse pity"; "raise a smile"; "evoke sympathy". wn

[2] #2 provoke v. [evoke, call forth, kick up] evoke or provoke to appear or occur; "Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple". wn

[3] #3 provoke v. [stimulate] provide the needed stimulus for. wn

[4] #4 provoke v. [harass, hassle, harry, chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague, molest] annoy continually or chronically; "He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked"; "This man harasses his female co-workers". wn