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
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
Union officials said the teen provoked the clash.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
We certainly have been provoked on this.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The success of the Greenwood district provoked resentment among the surrounding white communities, leading to the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, according to the Museum of Tulsa History website.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Dort was ejected for the foul that provoked Jokic, while Jokic and Thunder center Jaylin Williams received matching technical fouls.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The experts agree that, unless provoked, most of the damage that Godzilla would cause would be incidental.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Union officials said the teen provoked the clash.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
We certainly have been provoked on this.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The success of the Greenwood district provoked resentment among the surrounding white communities, leading to the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, according to the Museum of Tulsa History website.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Dort was ejected for the foul that provoked Jokic, while Jokic and Thunder center Jaylin Williams received matching technical fouls.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The experts agree that, unless provoked, most of the damage that Godzilla would cause would be incidental.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 27 Feb. 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
-
Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Imagine my mother’s surprise when my grandfather had encouraged her to turn up at the address on the card the next day.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The move aggravated the country's existing energy crises and triggered widespread fuel shortages.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The replacement of district leaders comes after a 10-month saga involving appeals from the district attempting to stop state intervention, which was triggered by a campus receiving five failed accountability ratings in a row from the state.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But instead, the young bride was wandering the streets of London in the June heat, frustrated and distraught.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Olson eventually found a substance that did not seem to be hallucinogenic but potently stimulated growth in the cortical neurons of rodents.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But most of the jobs grew out of the broader ecosystem stimulated by the presence of renewables, the mayor said.—
Meera Subramanian,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As of this week, the effort had raised $3,855.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan City United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association, which sponsors the event, has raised more than $130,000 in the last 18 years alone, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, watching Manchester City be swept aside by Champions League specialists Real Madrid, or Chelsea wilt against last year’s winners Paris Saint-Germain, or even Arsenal labour to a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen, stirred echoes of previous European campaigns at this time of year.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The approach has stirred anxiety in Washington, which has tried to pursue its own version with the CHIPS and Science Act.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision incited backlash from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who called for Prasad’s ouster.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Chisholm incited criticism multiple times during the 2025 season while playing for the Yankees.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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