provoked

[pruh-vohkt]

adjective

1. angered or enraged.

   The boys continued to test out the improved model until it was destroyed by a provoked weasel.

   For all the hype, the “riot” was actually quite mild—just a few empty beer cans and some stones thrown by an already provoked crowd.

2. stirred up or aroused.

   The longtime columnist says that it helps to have an easily provoked sense of indignation.

   To avoid being eaten, a provoked pufferfish blows itself up into a spiny living balloon the size of a volleyball.

3. prompted or caused by some action, behavior, or circumstance; brought about, often deliberately.

   His laugh was a contagious, easily provoked chuckle.

   A provoked bite can occur when a person teases a dog or tries to take away the dog's food while the dog is eating.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of provoke.

Other Word Forms

• unprovoked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of provoked¹

provoke ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

His earlier comments have provoked criticism from opposition politicians.

From BBC

Internet and telecom services are being restored in Afghanistan after a nationwide shutdown by the Taliban government provoked widespread condemnation.

From BBC

They didn’t plan the killing ahead of time, Echeverria told the informant, but were provoked when one of them said, “F— 18th Street.”

From Los Angeles Times

What's more, their congressional leaders provoked the ire of left-wing activists for backing down during the last budget bout in March.

From BBC

The attempts made by England's representatives to articulate the magnitude of their achievement provoked much laughter.

From BBC

Related Words

• incensed