The term 'provoke (a response)' can be summarized as eliciting a reaction from someone or something. It is an action that is intended to cause a reaction, often in the form of an emotional response. The term can be used to describe a wide range of activities, from verbal or physical provocation to more subtle forms of manipulation. In the context of a crossword puzzle, the term 'ELICIT' is a six-letter synonym for 'provoke (a response)'.