provoked 1 of 2

adjective

as in aggravated

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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

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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 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
Verb
Montgomery’s death provoked an outpouring of heartfelt support. — Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 What the 1998 demolition unexpectedly uncovered roiled Miami and provoked a worldwide outcry — a mysterious set of 24 holes carved into the limestone bedrock in a perfect circle, 38 feet in diameter. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 According to Annecy Artistic Director, Marcel Jean, the unprecedented weather provoked screening no-shows, as ticket holders proved wary of braving the scorching sun when queueing outside festival venues. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 29 June 2026 There was no depth to it, no hint of recognition of the horror that had provoked it. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 Given the patchy nature of Paleolithic evidence, this matter has provoked many disagreements, which began long before the publication of The Stone Age Diet. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Concentrated wealth has always converted into influence, and the republic absorbed it and built the antitrust law and disclosure rules that outlasted the men who provoked them. — Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Israel has launched frequent campaigns against Hezbollah, most notably in 2006, when a Hezbollah cross-border raid and the capture of two Israeli soldiers provoked an extensive Israeli air and ground operation that lasted more than a month. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
  1. aggravated
  2. encouraged
  3. triggered
  4. frustrated
  5. stimulated
  6. raised
  7. tortured
  8. stirred
Adjective
  • Parsons was also previously convicted of burglary and aggravated battery.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • The individuals have been charged with one or a combination of offenses including simple assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, riot and others.
    — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Definition of aggravated
Verb
  • Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of encouraged
Verb
  • Cataplexy is common in people with Type 1 narcolepsy and can be triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement, surprise or anger.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in southeastern Bangladesh killed several Rohingya refugees, including five children.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of triggered
Adjective
  • Djokovic became so frustrated that he was given a code violation warning for smashing a racket, before eventually hauling himself over the line.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Keli Gonzalez, a painter the museum commissioned, became frustrated by the lack of female representation.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • We're all constantly stimulated by data and noise, and leaders who don't self-edit become part of that noise.
    — Anna Jankowska, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Playing games can be a fun, easy way to keep your brain stimulated as you age.
    — Allison Forsyth, Health, 30 June 2026
Definition of stimulated
Verb
  • Jude Bellingham raised his arms and applauded, smiling all the while.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
  • Appointment television has become a rarity for Gen Z, which was raised on on-demand cartoons and can’t even identify a channel guide.
    — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of raised
Adjective
  • It’s held together beautifully by Bailey, who’s easy to root for as the tortured protagonist, and, as one half (along with her sister) of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, knows a thing or two about the musician’s plight.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 26 June 2026
  • Superman pops in for a couple of cute scenes along the way, while another DC side character, the alien and bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), appears as a tortured bit of universe-building.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
Definition of tortured
Verb
  • Your 3rd House of Communication is stirred by the temperamental Moon, while the life-giving Sun boosts your 7th House of Partnership, aligning words with steady commitments.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Despite its decades-long ubiquity in our lives and our iCals, the building has just as often stirred negative feelings.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Definition of stirred

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Cite this Entry

“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on provoked

Nglish: Translation of provoked for Spanish Speakers

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