as in aggravated
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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
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
His capture provoked at least eight highway blockades by criminal groups on the highways surrounding the border city of Reynosa.
—CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Even before the war began, hardship and inflation provoked nationwide protests that were brutally repressed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
This skill is especially useful in their environment, where aggressive encounters can happen; an axolotl may even bite off the gills or limbs of another if provoked or crowded.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Antisemitic attacks have surged worldwide since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel for an attack that provoked a ferocious response from Israel that’s razed large parts of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike the stock market, where insider trading is clearly defined and tightly regulated, monitoring insider trading on prediction markets has provoked fierce debate.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
In 2018, Target provoked the ire of New York music lovers by tweaking CBGB’s famous awning to celebrate the opening of a new retail location in Astor Place.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
This allegedly provoked a verbal altercation between Patterson and the two customers.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
His capture provoked at least eight highway blockades by criminal groups on the highways surrounding the border city of Reynosa.
—CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Even before the war began, hardship and inflation provoked nationwide protests that were brutally repressed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
This skill is especially useful in their environment, where aggressive encounters can happen; an axolotl may even bite off the gills or limbs of another if provoked or crowded.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Antisemitic attacks have surged worldwide since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel for an attack that provoked a ferocious response from Israel that’s razed large parts of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike the stock market, where insider trading is clearly defined and tightly regulated, monitoring insider trading on prediction markets has provoked fierce debate.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
In 2018, Target provoked the ire of New York music lovers by tweaking CBGB’s famous awning to celebrate the opening of a new retail location in Astor Place.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
-
He was also charged with grooming, traveling to meet a minor, and aggravated battery.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The charges include aggravated assault, evading arrest, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, speeding, and assault on a first responder.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Behavior that had long been tolerated, if not encouraged, would no longer be accepted.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This paper editorialized in support of that petition and encouraged the state’s attorney to voluntarily step aside.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Premier League side will be happy to have ridden out that wave, but will feel frustrated that its second penalty of the semifinal was overturned.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Now, following Tuesday's announcement that the state is seeking a new contractor to complete the rebuild project, Romiti is even more frustrated.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When people spend long periods in activities that require very little mental effort, those pathways may not be stimulated in the same way.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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In that moment, Caldentey looked up, assessed the situation, and raised her right arm.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Data center plans have stirred public controversy due to the massive needs of water and energy to run the them, and nearby residents worry could centers could sap up their own resources and drive up electric bills.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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And yet, here in April, with the run-in upon the club and its biggest knockout match for 30 years coming into view at Wembley, Longstaff stirred those emotions again.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kenny said the ongoing beef stemmed from a prior assault in January, in which the man who incited Thursday’s beatdown jumped Pierre.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Like many influencer brands, the launch incited quite a bit of controversy online.—
Elizabeth Gulino,
Allure,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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