German word

provozieren

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁovoˈtsiːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbprovoke

Example

Er provoziert oft seine Kollegen.

He often provokes his colleagues.

Illustration for provozieren (provoke)

More examples

Er kommentierte provokant, um die Zuschauer zu provozieren.

He commented provocatively to provoke the audience.

Core concept

A deliberate verbal or behavioral push trips a trigger, bringing a reaction or event into motion.

Common phrases

  • jemanden provozieren

    provoke someone

  • eine Reaktion provozieren

    provoke a reaction

  • einen Konflikt provozieren

    provoke a conflict

Similar words

beleidigen: Hurt someone with insulting words or behavior.
reizen: Stir someone's feelings to elicit an emotional response.
herausfordern: Challenge someone in a way that invites a response or action.
aufhetzen: Urge someone to turn hostile toward a particular person or group.

Definition in German

durch Worte oder Taten ein Ereignis oder eine Reaktion auslösen, wobei das Verhalten provozierend wirkt.

Word origin

German provozieren comes through French from Latin provocare, formed from pro- 'forth' and vocare 'call'.

Usage tips

  • Provozieren takes an accusative object, as in jemanden provozieren, while eine Reaktion provozieren can mean eliciting a reaction without addressing a person.

Other meanings

  • causeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word