Synonyms of provoked

provoked 1 of 2

adjective

as in aggravated

Related Words

• aggravated
• frustrated
• tormented
• tortured
• harassed
• irritated
• plagued
• exasperated
• badgered
• tested
• bothered
• vexed
• annoyed
• persecuted
• tried
• upset
• harried
• perturbed
• angry
• troubled
• disturbed
• angered
• infuriated
• pestered
• bedeviled
• peeved
• irked
• hassled
• displeased
• pinpricked
• galled
• outraged
• inconvenienced
• indignant
• haggled
• irate
• narked
• riled
• inflamed
• scunnered
• distressed
• put out
• rankled
• resentful
• steaming
• mad
• roiled
• ireful
• cross
• piqued
• petulant
• irritable
• shirty
• peevish
• teed off
• churlish
• sore
• fretful
• irascible
• snappish
• bilious
• huffy
• disapproving
• testy
• bristly
• dyspeptic
• cantankerous
• snuffy
• choleric
• grumpy
• touchy
• grouchy
• ill-humored
• bearish
• crabby
• cranky
• fussy

Dissimilar Words

• pleased
• satisfied
• happy
• content
• delighted
• calm
• serene
• placid
• tranquil
• peaceable
• pacific

provoked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of provoke

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

• encouraged
• stimulated
• stirred
• inspired
• aroused
• sparked
• incited
• instigated
• moved
• motivated
• triggered
• induced
• excited
• impassioned
• piqued
• drove
• fired (up)
• ignited
• revved (up)
• angered
• motived
• kindled
• activated
• enraged
• inflamed
• built a fire under
• fanned
• galvanized
• fomented
• energized
• bothered
• animated
• set off
• quickened
• upset
• vitalized
• keyed (up)
• abetted
• taunted
• pumped up
• whipped (up)
• aggravated
• teased
• maddened
• annoyed
• raised
• fermented
• irritated
• got
• jeered
• exasperated
• vexed
• galled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calmed
• subdued
• soothed
• appeased
• pacified
• placated
• mollified
• tranquilized

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

• triggered
• raised
• encouraged
• incited
• promoted
• stimulated
• instigated
• cultivated
• stirred (up)
• fomented
• picked
• abetted
• whipped (up)
• set in motion
• brewed
• fermented
• inspired
• fostered
• forwarded
• motivated
• roused
• nurtured
• furthered
• sowed
• nourished
• set off
• detonated
• activated
• excited
• galvanized
• inflamed
• advanced
• enlivened
• energized
• invigorated
• set
• quickened
• fired
• vitalized
• livened (up)
• pepped (up)
• jazzed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibited
• restrained
• held
• discouraged
• constrained
• regulated
• checked
• curbed
• tamed
• reined (in)
• calmed
• bridled
• quieted
• subdued
• soothed
• settled
• allayed
• stilled
• tranquilized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provoked

Verb

Ayer came on board the film after reading Cameron Alexander’s script, which provoked such a strong emotional response that the director couldn’t resist taking the material on. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors said Anthony provoked the confrontation that ended with Metcalf being fatally stabbed in the chest. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

One study, led by Mark Robinson of Intuitive Machines, describes the crater itself and the enormous amount of material thrown across the lunar surface due to the impact that provoked the feature. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Despite their intimidating nature, these wasps are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked. — Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

In the second half, the crowd were provoked a few times by players choosing conservative options with the ball in midfield. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The first festival screenings finally took place at the Berlinale in 2020, where a spinoff feature and six-hour TV series provoked outrage at the height of the #MeToo movement. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Tran’s dramatic reveal of the book’s true author provoked much controversy at the time. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Taiwan’s attendance at summits has provoked China's ire before, with the issue resulting in partner countries being barred from attending last year’s meeting in Solomon Islands. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026