The results of the election have 'provoked' [='generated'] a lot of discussion.
He just says those things because he's trying to 'provoke' you.
His insults were intended to 'provoke' [='start'] a fight.
(..) It sure ain't good. My father was an alcoholic. Mean, fuckin' drunk. He'd come home hammered, lookin' to whale on somebody. So I'd provoke him so he wouldn't go after my mother and little brother. Interesting nights were when he wore his rings. Yeah, he used to just put a, uh, a wrench... (..)1997 Good Will Hunting