verb
1.
Synonyms: irritate , aggravate, gall, get, grate, inflame, pique, put out, rile, roil
Related Word: insult, outrage
Antonyms: gratify
2.
Synonyms: annoy 1, abrade, bother, ||bug, chafe, exercise, fret, gall, irk, ruffle
Related Word: anger, incense, madden
3.
Synonyms: incite , abet, foment, instigate, raise, set, set on, stir (up), whip (up)
Related Word: perturb, upset
4.
to lead one into doing or feeling or to produce by so leading a person
was provoked into finding a solution to the problem
this foolish answer provoked an outburst of rage
Synonyms: excite, galvanize, innervate, innerve, motivate, move, pique, prime, quicken, rouse, ||roust, stimulate, suscitate; compare fire 2, stir 1
Related Word: arouse, awaken, bestir, build up, challenge, kindle, rally, stir, wake, waken, whet; animate, exalt, fire, inform, inspire; electrify, enthuse, thrill; titillate, titivate
Idioms: bring (one) to one's feet
Contrasted words: calm, relax, soothe
5.
Synonyms: generate 3, breed, cause, engender, get up, hatch, induce, muster (up), occasion, produce