21 uses
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Definition
to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
- she has provoked me when I could not bear it;Chapter 33 (40% in)
provoked = angered
- My caress provoked a long, guttural gnarl.Chapter 1 (68% in)
- I warn you to refrain from provoking me, or I'll ask your abduction as a special favour!Chapter 2 (68% in)
- His peevish reproofs wakened in her a naughty delight to provoke him: she was never so happy as when we were all scolding her at once, and she defying us with her bold, saucy look, and her ready words; turning Joseph's religious curses into ridicule, baiting me, and doing just what her father hated most — showing how her pretended insolence, which he thought real, had more power over Heathcliff than his kindness: how the boy would do HER bidding in anything, and HIS only when it suited...Chapter 5 (51% in)
- I went to hide little Hareton, and to take the shot out of the master's fowling-piece, which he was fond of playing with in his insane excitement, to the hazard of the lives of any who provoked, or even attracted his notice too much; and I had hit upon the plan of removing it, that he might do less mischief if he did go the length of firing the gun.Chapter 8 (99% in)
- Heathcliff had never been heard of since the evening of the thunder-storm; and, one day, I had the misfortune, when she had provoked me exceedingly, to lay the blame of his disappearance on her: where indeed it belonged, as she well knew.Chapter 9 (91% in)
- Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd not only turn the other, but I'd ask pardon for provoking it; and, as a proof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly.Chapter 10 (55% in)
- 'Have you been listening at the door, Edgar?' asked the mistress, in a tone particularly calculated to provoke her husband, implying both carelessness and contempt of his irritation.Chapter 11 (53% in)
- To this point he has been discreet in dreading to provoke me; you must represent the peril of quitting that policy, and remind him of my passionate temper, verging, when kindled, on frenzy.Chapter 11 (82% in)
- I remember being in the parlour after they had quarrelled, and Edgar being cruelly provoking, and me running into this room desperate.Chapter 12 (36% in)
- But, at last, I think she begins to know me: I don't perceive the silly smiles and grimaces that provoked me at first; and the senseless incapability of discerning that I was in earnest when I gave her my opinion of her infatuation and herself.Chapter 14 (52% in)
- Whatever he may pretend, he wishes to provoke Edgar to desperation: he says he has married me on purpose to obtain power over him; and he sha'n't obtain it — I'll die first!Chapter 14 (68% in)
- He is quieter now than he used to be, if no one provokes him: more sullen and depressed, and less furious.Chapter 17 (26% in)
- I think I should not be peevish with you: you'd not provoke me, and you'd always be ready to help me, wouldn't you?'Chapter 23 (29% in)
- 'That's too high,' murmured the provoking thing.Chapter 23 (65% in)
- Linton had certainly behaved provokingly: however, it was the business of nobody but me, and I interrupted Mr. Heathcliff's lecture by entering and telling him so.Chapter 24 (93% in)
- 'DON'T provoke him against me, Catherine, for he is very hard.'Chapter 26 (56% in)
- Her magnanimity provoked his tears: he wept wildly, kissing her supporting hands, and yet could not summon courage to speak out.Chapter 27 (22% in)
- DO LOOK! you'll see nothing to provoke you.Chapter 27 (86% in)
- 'And listen,' she continued, provokingly, commencing a verse of an old ballad in the same fashion.Chapter 31 (61% in)
- He dared not speak to her there: he dared hardly look; and yet she went on teasing, till he was twice on the point of being provoked to laugh.Chapter 33 (11% in)
There are no more uses of "provoke" in Wuthering Heights.
Typical Usage
(best examples)