provoke crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're stuck on the clue "provoke crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of solutions, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track.
Solutions for "provoke crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
VEX: To make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.
4 Letters
GOAD: To provoke or annoy (someone) in order to stimulate some action or reaction.
RILE: To make (someone) annoyed or irritated.
5 Letters
ANNOY: To cause slight irritation to someone.
6 Letters
INCITE: To encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).
More About "provoke crossword clue"
The word "provoke" carries a dynamic meaning, suggesting an act of stimulating or exciting a reaction, often an undesirable one. In crossword puzzles, clues related to "provoke" frequently test your knowledge of synonyms that convey varying degrees of intensity, from mild irritation to strong incitement. Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer, as constructors often play on the subtle differences between words like 'goad,' 'annoy,' and 'incite.'
Context is always king in crosswords. If the surrounding clues or an existing letter grid suggest a gentler form of provocation, words like 'vex' or 'annoy' might be appropriate. However, if the puzzle's theme or other clues point towards a more intense or aggressive action, 'incite' or 'stir' could be the intended solution. Always consider the tone and potential implications of the word 'provoke' within the broader puzzle.
Crossword constructors love words that have multiple meanings or applications. "Provoke" can be used in a negative sense (to anger), but also in a neutral or even positive sense (to provoke thought, to provoke laughter). Pay attention to any qualifiers in the clue that might guide you to the specific context the constructor has in mind. This adaptability makes "provoke" a versatile and often challenging crossword clue.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "provoke," consider the intensity. Is it a gentle nudge, an irritation, or a strong incitement? This will help you differentiate between answers like GOAD, ANNOY, or INCITE.
- Check Letter Count First: Always match potential answers to the given letter count. If you think of 'irritate' (8 letters) but need a 4-letter word, you know to look for alternatives like GOAD or RILE.
- Look for Common Synonyms: Keep a mental thesaurus for common crossword verbs. Words like 'stir,' 'goad,' 'annoy,' 'vex,' and 'incite' are frequent stand-ins for "provoke" across various puzzles.
- Use Intersecting Letters: Don't force an answer. If a word you're considering doesn't fit with existing letters from intersecting clues, it's time to re-evaluate and look for other possibilities.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start solving a crossword puzzle?
Begin by scanning all clues for easy answers you know immediately (e.g., common abbreviations, very obvious words). Then, focus on shorter words or words that cross many other clues, as filling these in will provide more intersecting letters for other answers.
What is a common strategy for tricky clues?
For difficult clues, try breaking them down. Identify the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective). Look for wordplay indicators (e.g., "sounds like," "rearranged"). Consider homophones, anagrams, or puns. If all else fails, move on and come back to it later; new letters might reveal the solution.
Why do some crossword clues have multiple possible answers?
Many words in the English language have multiple synonyms or can be interpreted in different ways, leading to several valid answers for a single clue. Crossword setters often intend for the solver to use intersecting letters from other clues to narrow down the possibilities to the one correct answer for that specific puzzle.