0 past simple and past participle of provoke
1 to cause a reaction, especially a negative one:
Her manifest lack of interest in the project has provoked severe criticism.
The release from prison of two of the terrorists has provoked a public outcry.
We have no intention of launching a pre-emptive strike, but we will retaliate if provoked.
The prime minister's speech provoked an angry response from the shadow cabinet.
On the other hand, such policies have provoked grassroot activism and stimulated senior organisations in quite a few countries.
Instead, he elected to demonstrate the legitimacy and importance of his discovery through the interest it provoked among powerful state officials.
But the participants had different cultural sensibilities, tall egos, and wide ambitions, which provoked and prolonged their quarrel.
