ontlokte

Ontlokte is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb ontlokken, meaning to elicit or provoke a response. It is used to describe something that caused a reaction, emotion, or action in others. The word is common in formal and semi-formal Dutch writing, including journalism and academic texts, where it conveys a sense of drawing out a response from people or circumstances.

Etymology and meaning: Ontlokken combines the prefix ont- with lokken, the latter meaning to lure or entice. The resulting sense is “to draw out” a reaction or consequence. The nuance often centers on a response that is triggered rather than merely caused, aligning with observations, arguments, or events that provoke discussion or critique.

Morphology and usage: Ontlokken is a transitive verb. Its simple past form is ontlokte, and the past participle is ontlokt, used with have in perfect tenses (het heeft een reactie ontlokt). Typical objects include reacties, kritiek, debat, en emoties. In sentences, it frequently appears in constructions such as "de opmerking ontlokte een reactie" or "de verklaring ontlokte verontwaardiging."

Relation to other terms: Ontlokken is related to uitlokken and oproepen, which carry similar meanings but with different nuances. Uitlokken often emphasizes provoking a reaction through direct causes, while oproepen can imply calling forth a response or memories. Ontlokken tends to highlight the emotional or argumentative draw-out of a reaction.

See also: uitlokken, oproepen, veroorzaken. In English, ontlokte is commonly translated as “elicited” or “provoked.”