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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of provoked
Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Choice comments from Mary Earps about head coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeping rival Hannah Hampton provoked a cutting riposte from Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
David Lynch’s incendiary fantasia divided audiences from the moment its Palme d’Or win provoked boos at Cannes.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.
—NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Riefenstahl’s insistence on perfection in her frames may even have provoked German soldiers to murder a work party of Polish Jews, according to material uncovered by Veiel.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
The operation involved dozens of federal agents and provoked protests from bystanders, the Associated Press reported.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Choice comments from Mary Earps about head coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeping rival Hannah Hampton provoked a cutting riposte from Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
David Lynch’s incendiary fantasia divided audiences from the moment its Palme d’Or win provoked boos at Cannes.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.
—NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Riefenstahl’s insistence on perfection in her frames may even have provoked German soldiers to murder a work party of Polish Jews, according to material uncovered by Veiel.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
The operation involved dozens of federal agents and provoked protests from bystanders, the Associated Press reported.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
-
In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Robinson faces a top charge of aggravated murder, which carries a potential death penalty.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The city’s emergency overflow shelter is available to adults over 18, with capacity for dogs in kennels, but the office encouraged people who need a warm place to sleep to seek primary shelters as a first option.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Nov. 2025
-
During the end of the latter track, Lauper encouraged audience members to sing along and brought Salt-n-Pepa onstage to join in.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The negative reviews — some going as far as calling All’s Fair the worst show ever with the worst acting — triggered a new media cycle of stories.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This triggered a state law requiring the campus to either be closed or for the school board to be replaced with a board of managers.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Exit poll data showed where those frustrated voters directed their ire.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In what is trending to be a seventh losing season for the Jets in his seven years with the franchise, Williams had reportedly grown frustrated behind the scenes about the direction of the franchise.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When the researchers stimulated autophagy, the problem improved.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Puzzle and activity feeders mimic natural hunting behavior and keep cats mentally stimulated.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While much emphasis has been placed on how important the trades are for the work force, adult education programs faced a federal funding freeze, albeit briefly, this summer that raised concerns about the future of vocational schools.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Citymeals on Wheels welcomes all to Power Lunch because every single dollar raised will provide meals and connections for our older neighbors.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Watson stirred controversy late in life, tarnishing his reputation as a scientist in a series of racist remarks.—
Christina Zdanowicz,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Hill’s Emily Brooks reports that Roberts’s statement has stirred backlash from GOP senators and several traditionally conservative organizations, including from staffers inside Heritage itself.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Bolduc’s hit on Senators star defenceman Jake Sanderson just before the nine-minute mark of the first period sent Sanderson into the Canadiens’ bench and incited Sens tough guy Kurtis MacDermid to go after him, handing the Canadiens a power play.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Halloween was just around the corner, and the Tylenol murders incited panic among parents who feared trick-or-treat candy could be laced with poison or razors.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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