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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provoked
Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Good cops, even when provoked, are conservative about using firearms.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The standouts unsettled, provoked and occasionally disoriented, often in the same breath.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
The changes have provoked criticism from Democrats, who have accused the president of trying to weaponize the arts for political purposes.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Twenty-nine were classified as provoked, including incidents involving fishing, handling sharks or attempting to touch them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
And his knockout debut men’s show in June, provoked roaring applause from attendees for its earnest joyfulness.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
But the bill and others like it have provoked a series of constitutional concerns.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Good cops, even when provoked, are conservative about using firearms.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The standouts unsettled, provoked and occasionally disoriented, often in the same breath.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
The changes have provoked criticism from Democrats, who have accused the president of trying to weaponize the arts for political purposes.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Twenty-nine were classified as provoked, including incidents involving fishing, handling sharks or attempting to touch them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
And his knockout debut men’s show in June, provoked roaring applause from attendees for its earnest joyfulness.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
-
In December, a jury convicted Moore for aggravated battery to a peace officer causing great bodily harm and resisting a peace officer, per the news release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Rodriguez was convicted in 2020 of stalking and aggravated assault.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Given the Hornets’ record attendance this season, prompt action is encouraged due to expected high demand.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This spring, he was encouraged by regaining strength and bat speed.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Matches without goals triggered texts to Garden requesting immediate Wyscout Zoom sessions.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
After six days of marching under the barrel of an assault rifle, Caldwell triggered his group’s escape by pushing one of their captors off a cliff.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The United Kingdom hosted a virtual summit Thursday with over three dozen countries seeking to establish a plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a frustrated White House orders them to figure the issue out for themselves.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The frustrated plaintiffs turned to a second funeral home two weeks later.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The induced impact of our cast and crew spending along with the workers along the supply chain in turn stimulated even more economic growth.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The discovery of rich copper deposits at Burra in 1845 induced a remarkable mining boom and stimulated rapid expansion.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stephen Curry swished a 3-pointer on his second shot from deep and raised his arms in delight when the ball went through.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
My father had lived an extraordinary life as a young Black man born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1940s.—
Shayla Martin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prone to flooding, the Trinity has a soft bottom that’s constantly being stirred, causing prehistoric fossils and bones to surface.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Understanding stirred, a flutter in the very center of her chest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Like many influencer brands, the launch incited quite a bit of controversy online.—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That exchange incited a deafening roar from the more than 10,000 fans in attendance.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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