provoke

/prə-ˈvōk/

Middle English, from Anglo-French *provoker, provocher, from Latin provocare, from pro- forth + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice

verb

  1. to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke

  2. to stir up purposely

  3. to provide the needed stimulus for

provoke laughter

provoke a fight

provoke excite stimulate pique quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs attention to the response called forth. excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly.