frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

outburst? 2 insult, offence, taunt, irritation: After a series
of provocations, the final straw was his remark about my mother.
provocative
adj. 1 inviting, alluring, tempting, charming, tantalizing,
teasing, intriguing, fascinating, seductive, stimulating,
voluptuous, sensual, sensuous, suggestive, erotic, arousing,
exciting, entrancing, irresistible, bewitching, Colloq sexy:
The council found the film too provocative to be shown to
schoolchildren. 2 irritating, annoying, galling, irksome,
nettlesome, harassing, plaguing, exasperating, infuriating,
angering, incensing, maddening, enraging, vexing, vexatious,
disquieting, challenging, upsetting, distressing, disturbing,
outrageous, wounding, stinging, offensive, humiliating,
mortifying: She is given to making provocative remarks that
drive him to distraction.
provoke v. 1 stir (up), stimulate, move, motivate, push, impel, drive,
get, spur (on), egg on, goad, force, compel, prompt, rouse,
arouse, waken, awaken, enliven, animate, activate, induce,
encourage: She did her best to provoke him to start his new
novel. 2 start, incite, instigate, produce, promote, foment,
kindle, work up: Are you trying to provoke an argument? 3
irritate, annoy, irk, pester, vex, pique, anger, enrage, madden,
incense, infuriate, gall, rile, nettle, harass, hector, plague,
badger, exasperate, get on one's nerves, try one's patience,
frustrate, upset, disturb, perturb, distress, outrage, offend,
insult, affront: If he continues to provoke me I shall punch
him.
prowess n. 1 ability, skill, skilfulness, aptitude, adroitness,
dexterity, dexterousness, adeptness, facility, finesse,
expertise, mastery, genius, talent, know-how, ingenuity,
capability, proficiency: Her prowess as a sculptor is
unquestioned. 2 bravery, valour, courage, boldness, daring,
intrepidity, dauntlessness, mettle, stout-heartedness, valiance,
lion-heartedness, fearlessness, gallantry, doughtiness,
fortitude: He was famed for his prowess in single combat.
prowl v. 1 lurk, sneak, skulk, steal, slink: I thought I saw someone
prowling about in your back garden. 2 scour, scavenge, range
over, rove, roam, patrol, cruise, cover: The police continued
to prowl the waterfront looking for smugglers.