as in aggravated
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in encouraged
to rouse to strong feeling or action
his teasing finally provoked her to anger bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in triggered
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of provoked
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Concentrated wealth has always converted into influence, and the republic absorbed it and built the antitrust law and disclosure rules that outlasted the men who provoked them.
—
Douglas P. McCormick,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
He’d been taken down to the kitchen earlier in the night to cool off after Cola provoked his temper.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
If these quasi-mythical creatures provoked unease, at least among outsiders, their cheese did the opposite.
—
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Trump’s unprecedented decision to attend an NBA Finals game provoked turmoil for the team and their fans.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 June 2026
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office described Metcalf’s killing in Frisco as an unjustified, provoked murder.
—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2026
Giant has provoked so many think-pieces and conversations and debates, which have caused people to flock to the show — you guys made your money back in 10 weeks, which just doesn’t happen.
—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Concentrated wealth has always converted into influence, and the republic absorbed it and built the antitrust law and disclosure rules that outlasted the men who provoked them.
—
Douglas P. McCormick,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
He’d been taken down to the kitchen earlier in the night to cool off after Cola provoked his temper.
—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
If these quasi-mythical creatures provoked unease, at least among outsiders, their cheese did the opposite.
—
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Trump’s unprecedented decision to attend an NBA Finals game provoked turmoil for the team and their fans.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 June 2026
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Office described Metcalf’s killing in Frisco as an unjustified, provoked murder.
—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2026
Giant has provoked so many think-pieces and conversations and debates, which have caused people to flock to the show — you guys made your money back in 10 weeks, which just doesn’t happen.
—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
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The individuals have been charged with one or a combination of offenses including simple assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, riot and others.
-
Under federal immigration law, second‑degree bail jumping is classified as an aggravated felony, a designation that generally bars lawful permanent residents from seeking cancellation of removal and most other forms of relief.
Verb
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In 1981, President Reagan signed an executive order creating the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and encouraged more federal funding for HBCUs.
-
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to contact HSCO.
Verb
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These episodes have been triggered by intense heat domes — stubborn areas of high pressure that lock hot air in place — and are clearly supercharged by global warming, experts say.
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Throughout the game, seeing green shirts on the large screen triggered cheers through the crowd, while boos came up when yellow kits were displayed.
Adjective
-
But no one who delves into Duchamp can shake the feeling that erotic fixations and frustrated romantic love are at the core of his imaginative universe.
-
Unemployment remains above 30%, making migrants easy political targets for frustrated communities and opportunistic actors.
Verb
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But women retain responsive desire—which comes from being stimulated, or from stimulating themselves.
-
Long-term state investment in infrastructure has stimulated enterprise.
Verb
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The loss threatened the summer learning session, but on Sunday, the community stepped up at an impromptu fundraiser that raised spirits and funds.
-
He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Adjective
-
In a feature published today, deputy executive editor Yoni Appelbaum examines the tortured debate—inside and outside the academy—over how to tell the American story.
-
Hunter Biden is mixing it up with admirers and critics on social media, while Jill Biden is rehashing the tortured saga of the last presidential race in a new memoir.
Verb
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Sometimes the antibodies can be stirred to action by exercise, alcohol, or a combination of the two.
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Crafted with Grey Goose vodka and Carpano Dry Vermouth, the cocktail is prepared to each guest’s preference—whether dry, dirty, extra dirty, shaken or stirred—from the restaurant’s signature martini cart.
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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