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
Relevance
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
as in aggravated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of provoked
Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
So his recent absence from public view provoked all sorts of speculation – fed by social media algorithms that promoted conspiracy theories and complete nonsense to huge numbers of people.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
About those shark bites Naylor often talks with people about shark bites, and whether they're provoked or unprovoked, thanks to duties that include overseeing the International Shark Attack File at UF’s Museum of Natural History.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Authorities say that the man, a tourist from the neighboring state of Kerala, was lucky to survive — and that the elephant was likely provoked because the tourist had climbed out of his safari vehicle and approached the animal to take a selfie.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The second big winner is Service Employees International Union Local 73, which broke with Johnson ally the Chicago Teachers Union earlier this year as CTU was negotiating its own contract and provoked SEIU’s ire in a dispute over representation of some CPS employees.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The video of Dunn's confrontation with the CBP agent went viral and provoked an all-out public relations blitz from the White House and Justice Department touting his arrest and the federal assault charge against him.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025
That fly-on-the-wall approach ensures that, if Megalopolis provoked its share of critical battles, Megadoc will serve as evidence for all sides of the debate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
His reaction to being ranked below Hearon, a progressive comedian known for sharp political commentary, highlighted a cultural divide in online influence and provoked rare public criticism from peers.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Michael Roberson, a defense attorney, argued Lawson was provoked by Martin.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
So his recent absence from public view provoked all sorts of speculation – fed by social media algorithms that promoted conspiracy theories and complete nonsense to huge numbers of people.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
About those shark bites Naylor often talks with people about shark bites, and whether they're provoked or unprovoked, thanks to duties that include overseeing the International Shark Attack File at UF’s Museum of Natural History.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Authorities say that the man, a tourist from the neighboring state of Kerala, was lucky to survive — and that the elephant was likely provoked because the tourist had climbed out of his safari vehicle and approached the animal to take a selfie.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The second big winner is Service Employees International Union Local 73, which broke with Johnson ally the Chicago Teachers Union earlier this year as CTU was negotiating its own contract and provoked SEIU’s ire in a dispute over representation of some CPS employees.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The video of Dunn's confrontation with the CBP agent went viral and provoked an all-out public relations blitz from the White House and Justice Department touting his arrest and the federal assault charge against him.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025
That fly-on-the-wall approach ensures that, if Megalopolis provoked its share of critical battles, Megadoc will serve as evidence for all sides of the debate.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
His reaction to being ranked below Hearon, a progressive comedian known for sharp political commentary, highlighted a cultural divide in online influence and provoked rare public criticism from peers.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Verb
-
Mixing and matching is encouraged.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fire is assumed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Pheu Thai's crisis was triggered back in June by Anutin's withdrawal from its alliance, which left the coalition government clinging to power with a razor-thin majority amid protests and plummeting popularity.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Tuscarawas County prosecutors charged Ruth Miller, 40, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, with two counts of aggravated murder.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Over the first six months of 2025, the index shows a 21% decrease in homicides over the same period of 2024, while aggravated assaults—which includes non-fatal shootings—were down 8%.—
MARK VANCLEAVE,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But dogs still need ways to burn off energy and stay mentally stimulated.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
For example, one study found that breast cancer cell growth was stimulated by low concentrations of genistein and inhibited by higher concentrations.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The decision upheld a previous denial by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission over traffic concerns raised by city officials and in more than 300 public comments.—
Rose Evans
September 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After new state data showed substantial academic gains, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education members defended a six-figure consulting contract Tuesday that raised questions earlier this year about family connections to the district.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And with creativity and innovation so discouraged, an employee who thrives with an entrepreneurial spirit might feel stifled or frustrated.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In 2021, at a meeting in Olive Branch, Hiatt faced frustrated farmers.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Two developments in 1976 had stirred interest in searching for undersea freshwater.—
Rodrique Ngowi,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
All this has stirred some fresh thinking among Democrats about whether activists must demand that candidates agree with all of their positions, or whether victory demands more flexibility.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
News of her departure incited quick, negative feedback from fans on social media.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Mother’s turbulent self-examination is incited by the revelation of Sister Agnieszka’s pregnancy in the film’s first Act.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share