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

Derived Forms

• unprovoked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of provoked

provoke ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

His father-in-law was a merchant who received the tea that provoked the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The rampage stunned Germany and provoked a heated nationwide debate about security around Christmas markets, a beloved seasonal German tradition.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

He provoked conflict with fellow cast members and was seen by fans as fraying Montag’s relationship with her best friend.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

But since footage of the incident has spread online, some have questioned whether the wrong person ended up in handcuffs, alleging it was Niemi who provoked the attack.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

I had provoked Raymond’s adversaries at the beach.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus

Related Words

• incensed