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Evoke vs. Provoke: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
Evoke generally means to call forth feelings, thoughts, or images; Provoke often means to incite or stimulate into action, usually negatively.

Key Differences

"Evoke" primarily refers to the act of bringing out emotions, memories, or responses that are already present within someone. "Provoke," on the other hand, commonly indicates causing someone to react, typically in a strong and often negative manner.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In the context of emotional response, "evoke" is generally more subtle, aiming to draw out feelings that are latent or dormant. "Provoke" usually aims to stir up emotions, and the reaction is generally more immediate and intense.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
When talking about ideas or memories, "evoke" implies a kind of summoning, as if the idea or memory was waiting to be called forth. "Provoke" in the realm of ideas implies a challenge or confrontation that compels one to think or respond.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In literary or artistic contexts, "evoke" would be used to describe how a piece of work brings certain emotions or images to mind. "Provoke" would describe a work that challenges or stimulates thought, often pushing the boundaries of convention or comfort.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
From a grammatical perspective, both "evoke" and "provoke" are transitive verbs, which means they require an object to complete their meaning. However, "evoke" is more frequently used with abstract objects like "emotions," while "provoke" is often used with more concrete objects like "reaction."
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Connotation

Neutral or Positive
Usually Negative
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Typical Objects

Abstract (e.g., feelings, memories)
Concrete (e.g., actions, reactions)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Intensity

Generally Subtle
Usually Immediate and Intense
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Usage Context

Artistic, Psychological
Social, Behavioral
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Grammatical Role

Transitive Verb
Transitive Verb
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023
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Evoke and Provoke Definitions

Evoke

To elicit a reaction
His words evoked laughter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Provoke

To annoy or irritate
Your comment provoked her.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Evoke

To cause to appear
The magician evoked a rabbit from the hat.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Provoke

To challenge or confront
The statement provoked thought.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Evoke

To bring to mind
The painting evoked her childhood.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
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Provoke

To elicit an emotional response
The news provoked outrage.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Evoke

To summon forth
The music evoked deep emotions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Provoke

To stimulate a reaction
The stimulus provoked a nerve response.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Evoke

To give rise to; draw forth; produce
Words that evoked a smile.
Actions that evoked mistrust.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To incite to anger or resentment
Taunts that provoked their rivals.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To call to mind, as by suggestion, association, or reference
Songs that evoke old memories.
A speech that evoked the words of Jefferson.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To stir to action or feeling
A remark that provoked me to reconsider.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To create anew, especially by means of the imagination
A novel that accurately evokes the Depression.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To give rise to; bring about
A miscue that provoked laughter.
News that provoked an uproar.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To summon by magical or supernatural power; conjure.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To bring about deliberately; induce
Provoke a fight.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To call out; to draw out or bring forth.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

(transitive) To cause someone to become annoyed or angry.
Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To cause the manifestation of something (emotion, picture, etc.) in someone's mind or imagination.
Being here evokes long forgotten memories.
Seeing this happen equally evokes fear and anger in me.
The book evokes a detailed and lively picture of what life was like in the 19th century.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

(transitive) To bring about a reaction.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To elicit a response.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

(obsolete) To appeal.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To call out; to summon forth.
To evoke the queen of the fairies.
A regulating discipline of exercise, that whilst evoking the human energies, will not suffer them to be wasted.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate.
Obey his voice, provoke him not.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.
Such actsOf contumacy will provoke the HighestTo make death in us live.
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust?
To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his own soul.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To call away; to remove from one tribunal to another.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To cause provocation or anger.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

To appeal. [A Latinism]
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

Call forth;
Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

Call forth;
Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

Evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic;
Raise the specter of unemployment
He conjured wild birds in the air
Stir a disturbance
Call down the spirits from the mountain
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

Provide the needed stimulus for
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

Call to mind or evoke
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Provoke

Annoy continually or chronically;
He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
This man harasses his female co-workers
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023

Evoke

To conjure an image
The story evoked a vivid picture.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Provoke

To incite to action
His taunts provoked a fight.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

FAQs

Is "evoke" always positive?

Not necessarily; it is generally neutral but can be positive depending on context.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Can "evoke" and "provoke" be used interchangeably?

Generally no, they carry different nuances and contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What is the basic meaning of "provoke"?

Provoke means to incite or stimulate into action, often negatively.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Can "evoke" be used in artistic contexts?

Yes, artworks or music can evoke emotions or images.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What is commonly evoked?

Emotions, memories, or thoughts are commonly evoked.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Is "provoke" always negative?

Mostly, although it can be neutral when it means to stimulate thought or discussion.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Can "provoke" be used in political contexts?

Yes, statements or actions can provoke debate or conflict.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What is the past tense of "evoke"?

The past tense is "evoked."
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

What is the basic meaning of "evoke"?

Evoke means to bring forth or call to mind emotions, images, or memories.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Are both "evoke" and "provoke" transitive verbs?

Yes, both are transitive verbs and require an object.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What is commonly provoked?

Actions, reactions, or strong emotional responses are commonly provoked.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

What is the past tense of "provoke"?

The past tense is "provoked."
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

What is a synonym for "evoke"?

A synonym could be "elicit."
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

What is a synonym for "provoke"?

A synonym could be "incite."
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Can "evoke" be used in a scientific context?

Yes, certain stimuli can evoke responses in scientific experiments.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera Saeed
Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

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