The Italian term "sfidare, esacerbare, cagionare" matches the English term "provoke"

other italian words that include "sfidare" : english :
sfidare, disfida challenge
sfidare defy
other italian words that include "esacerbare" : english :
esacerbare irritate
eccitare, esacerbare stimulate
other italian words that include "cagionare" : english :
cagionare, ragione, cagione, causo cause