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
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Recent Examples of provoked
Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Good cops, even when provoked, are conservative about using firearms.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The standouts unsettled, provoked and occasionally disoriented, often in the same breath.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
The changes have provoked criticism from Democrats, who have accused the president of trying to weaponize the arts for political purposes.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Twenty-nine were classified as provoked, including incidents involving fishing, handling sharks or attempting to touch them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
And his knockout debut men’s show in June, provoked roaring applause from attendees for its earnest joyfulness.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
But the bill and others like it have provoked a series of constitutional concerns.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Good cops, even when provoked, are conservative about using firearms.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The standouts unsettled, provoked and occasionally disoriented, often in the same breath.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
The changes have provoked criticism from Democrats, who have accused the president of trying to weaponize the arts for political purposes.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Twenty-nine were classified as provoked, including incidents involving fishing, handling sharks or attempting to touch them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
And his knockout debut men’s show in June, provoked roaring applause from attendees for its earnest joyfulness.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoked
Adjective
-
In December, a jury convicted Moore for aggravated battery to a peace officer causing great bodily harm and resisting a peace officer, per the news release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Rodriguez was convicted in 2020 of stalking and aggravated assault.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some players encouraged the 49ers to investigate, but Lynch noted that it was not broached by anyone who joined the team in the past few weeks since free agency opened, including wide receiver Mike Evans.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Students should be encouraged to think historically, Zavala said, and to approach larger themes of colonization, erasure, power and to reflect on the way movements are shaped and the contradictions that occur within them.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Matches without goals triggered texts to Garden requesting immediate Wyscout Zoom sessions.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
After six days of marching under the barrel of an assault rifle, Caldwell triggered his group’s escape by pushing one of their captors off a cliff.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The United Kingdom hosted a virtual summit Thursday with over three dozen countries seeking to establish a plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a frustrated White House orders them to figure the issue out for themselves.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The frustrated plaintiffs turned to a second funeral home two weeks later.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Olson eventually found a substance that did not seem to be hallucinogenic but potently stimulated growth in the cortical neurons of rodents.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The trip raised hopes among some members on the WhatsApp chain that expressions of empathy toward Palestinians will become more common at Beth El, both from the bimah and in synagogue-wide communications.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Together, the reports signal a possible escalation in the Iran -war — the fallout of which has already rattled markets and raised fears of broader supply chain disruptions and higher global prices.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The prewar decline in mortgage rates stirred hopes of a robust spring selling season.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Plato briefly stirred to life to announce that there had never been such a thing as a Department of Education, then shut back down.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That exchange incited a deafening roar from the more than 10,000 fans in attendance.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The decision incited backlash from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who called for Prasad’s ouster.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoked. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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