Spanish word

provocar

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾoβoˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbcause

Example

La noticia provocó una discusión en la familia.

The news caused a discussion in the family.

Illustration for provocar (cause)

More examples

El comentario de Juan provocó risas entre los presentes.

Juan's comment provoked laughter among those present.

Core concept

A spark that sets off a chain reaction.

Common phrases

  • provocar una discusión

    provoke a discussion

  • provocar una reacción

    provoke a reaction

  • provocar celos

    provoke jealousy

Similar words

causar: Produces an outcome because of a defined cause or condition.
ocasionar: Brings about a consequence as a direct result of an event or situation.
desencadenar: Sets off a cascading series of events or responses originating from one incident.
incitar: Incites someone to act or feel intensely, typically by encouraging or provoking them.

Definition in Spanish

Causar o producir algo, especialmente una reacción, un efecto o un problema.

Word origin

From Latin provocāre (pro- "forward" + vocāre "call"), originally "call forth" and now used to mean causing or eliciting a reaction.

Usage tips

  • When the object is a person, Spanish normally uses the preposition a (provocar a alguien), and provocar often implies causing a noticeable reaction or problem rather than a neutral "make".

Other meanings

  • provokeverb
  • sparkverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word