provoked

American  

[pruh-vohkt] / prəˈvoʊkt /

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.

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unprovoked adjective

Etymology

Origin of provoked

provoke ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Bisignano’s appointment as commissioner provoked misgivings about his suitability for the job among Social Security advocates.

From Los Angeles Times

Two schools which were closed due to a smell which provoked unexplained nausea will reopen this week after the odour was removed.

From BBC

Each step normalizes the next, until practices that would once have provoked universal outrage become accepted as routine.

From Salon

Those sentiments provoked “I-told-you-so” fury in some corners of social media.

From The Wall Street Journal

The demonstrations that began in late November were provoked by a 2026 draft budget, which protesters branded as an attempt to mask rampant corruption.

From Barron's

Related Words

• incensed