to cause a reaction or feeling, especially a sudden one

激起，引起;

The proposal provoked widespread criticism.

那项提议引起了广泛的批评。

The decision to invade provoked storms of protest.

侵略决定激起了抗议的风暴。

The novel has provoked fierce debate in the US.

那部小说在美国引起了激烈的争论。

She hopes her editorial will provoke readers into thinking seriously about the issue.

她希望她的社论能引发读者对该问题的认真思考。

Emma, though still at school, was provoked to help too.

埃玛虽然还是个学生，见状也前来帮忙。

to make someone angry, especially deliberately

激怒，使恼火:

The dog would not have attacked if it hadn't been provoked.

如果不是被惹恼了，那狗是不会攻击的。

Paul tried to provoke Fletch into a fight.

保罗试图激怒弗莱琪来打架。