provoke
To deliberately cause a reaction or response
Examples
In a meeting
“The new policy will likely provoke strong reactions from employees.”
Over coffee
“Don't provoke your sister right before we leave for dinner.”
Why this word
cause
provoke implies deliberately inciting or stirring up a reaction, while cause is neutral about intention
trigger
provoke suggests intentional stimulation of response, while trigger may be accidental activation
anger
provoke is broader than emotion, meaning to deliberately incite any strong reaction, while anger is specific emotion
Usage tip
Often implies intentionally stirring up emotions or reactions, usually negative
Etymology
Latin 'provocare' from 'pro-' (forth) + 'vocare' (to call)
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Related words
prompt
To cause or encourage an action or response
ascribe
To attribute something to a particular cause or source
attribute
To identify something as being caused by or belonging to a particular source
precipitate
To cause something to happen suddenly or sooner than expected
instigate
To cause or start something, often negative
precursor
Something that comes before and indicates what will follow