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
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
In dramatizing the moment to his own benefit, Jackson provoked hostility from King’s widow and others in the movement’s leadership that lasted decades.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
After his ejection, Crinon provoked Canadian fans in the stands on his way out.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
Frederick Wiseman, the pioneering documentary filmmaker whose penetrating, observational depictions of public institutions raised ethical issues and provoked social examination, has died.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
Fennell likes to shock, and her newest film has successfully provoked many strong reactions.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
They could be provoked into recognizing this or that territory, and that’s just impossible.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The refusal to be endlessly provoked.
—Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
The law provoked fraught debates in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The duration may be longer depending on whether the clot was provoked by a temporary risk factor or reflects an ongoing predisposition.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
In dramatizing the moment to his own benefit, Jackson provoked hostility from King’s widow and others in the movement’s leadership that lasted decades.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
After his ejection, Crinon provoked Canadian fans in the stands on his way out.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
Frederick Wiseman, the pioneering documentary filmmaker whose penetrating, observational depictions of public institutions raised ethical issues and provoked social examination, has died.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
Fennell likes to shock, and her newest film has successfully provoked many strong reactions.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
They could be provoked into recognizing this or that territory, and that’s just impossible.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
The refusal to be endlessly provoked.
—Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
The law provoked fraught debates in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
-
Dodd is facing charges of first-degree murder, home invasion, armed violence, residential burglary and aggravated stalking, according to Oswego police.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Rodriguez was convicted in 2020 of stalking and aggravated assault.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a result, there is far less destructive pressure and no reason to specialize too soon, and young athletes are encouraged to try out multiple sports.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Restaurant recommendations are highly encouraged, given how popular the outlets are with even Hong Kong residents.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those scenarios could either be triggered by new snow falling on existing snow; a cornice, or mass of hanging snow, falling; or a human trigger.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In the early morning of July 4, 2025, flooding triggered by unrelenting rain that overwhelmed the Guadalupe River swept away dozens of girls at the historic camp.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But some may feel frustrated not to have more closure over what happened to one major character, who literally goes missing, launching a manhunt, around two-thirds into the film.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Other polling indicates that Democrats are deeply frustrated with their party.—
Linley Sanders,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Turn mealtime into braintime with this interactive puzzle toy that keeps dogs engaged, entertained and mentally stimulated.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Among the best places to visit in Puerto Rico are its rare bioluminescent bays, where the water appears to glow at night thanks to microscopic organisms that are stimulated by movement.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Companies that raised prices because of tariffs are unlikely to immediately reduce them because of the ruling, experts said, as rates remain uncertain.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
With state funding lagging, schools have raised tuition to stay afloat, a cycle the legislation’s sponsors say their plan could break.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The message stirred something in people well beyond the sports world.—
Rebecca Shore Winn,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Up close, though, the oddities stirred something familiar.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Next-gen stars such as Odessa A’zion, Connor Storrie, Chase Infiniti and more incited the beauty shift late last year, boasting their own messy mops on the red carpet and beyond.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
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But was this not the result of an exploration Louise herself incited?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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