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Pacify vs Provoke - What's the difference?

pacify | provoke |

In lang=en terms the difference between pacify and provoke

is that pacify is to appease (someone) while provoke is to bring about a reaction.

As verbs the difference between pacify and provoke

is that pacify is to bring peace to (a place or situation), by ending war, fighting, violence, anger or agitation while provoke is to cause someone to become annoyed or angry.

pacify

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To bring peace to (a place or situation), by ending war, fighting, violence, anger or agitation.
  • To appease (someone).

    • Synonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * pacifier

    Related terms

    * pacific * pacifier * pacifism * pacifist * pacifistic * peace

    provoke

    English

    Verb

    (provok)
  • to cause someone to become annoyed or angry.
    • Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.
  • * Bible, Eph. vi. 4
    • Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.
  • to bring about a reaction.
  • * J. Burroughs
    • To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his own soul.
  • *{{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 12 , author= , title=International friendly: England 1-0 Spain , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Spain were provoked into a response and Villa almost provided a swift equaliser when he rounded Hart but found the angle too acute and could only hit the side-netting.}}
  • (obsolete) To appeal.
    • (Dryden)

    Synonyms

    * (bring about a reaction) bring about, discompose, egg on, engender, evoke, grill, incite, induce, inflame, instigate, invoke, rouse, set off, stir up, whip up

    Derived terms

    * provocation * provocative

    Related terms

    * provocateur