The Open Dictionary

provoke

verb

UK/prəˈvəʊk/
US/prəˈvoʊk/

Definitions of provoke verb

cause(引起)

  1. C2Transitive(及物动词)

    To cause a reaction, particularly a negative one.

    招惹；挑衅

    • The announcement of the new policy provoked a strong public outcry.

      新政策的公告引起了强烈的公众抗议。

    • The plot of the movie provoked extensive discussion about morality.

      这部电影的剧情引发了关于道德的广泛讨论。

    • He often makes controversial statements to provoke a reaction from people.

      他经常发表有争议的言论以引起人们的反应。

anger(激怒)

  1. C2Transitive(及物动词)

    To deliberately try to make a person or an animal angry.

    激怒；挑衅

    • He tried to provoke her by making sarcastic remarks.

      他试图通过说讽刺的话来激怒她。

    • We must remain calm and not allow our opponents to provoke us.

      我们必须保持冷静，不让对手激怒我们。

    • The child deliberately threw stones to provoke the cat.

      那孩子故意扔石头来激怒那只猫。