easily provoked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easily provoked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is quick to become angry or upset. Example: "He is known for his short temper and is often easily provoked by minor annoyances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Zell is easily provoked.

The New Yorker

The antithesis of a benign nature lover, Kate is an angry and easily provoked woman.

The New York Times

He was cocky and combative, easily provoked and ready to fight anyone.

The New York Times

By James Wood Yates wrote male characters who are anxious, easily provoked by female resistance.

The New Yorker

And as recent days have taught, Turkish masculinity is far too easily provoked.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He is very easily provoked and we had that gallery full of people very ready to provoke," Mr Lukic said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Although such episodes could easily provoke shudders, there appeared to be no guiding principle organizing them.

The New York Times - Arts

In the circumstances, an increase in interest rates could easily provoke a damaging cutback in spending by nervous consumers.

The Economist

But it is an argument that, if carried to its logical extreme, could easily provoke irreparable short-term damage in the supposed interests of long-term improvement.

The New York Times

There is widespread concern that the violence will further inflame existing divisions in Iraq, which could easily provoke similar ethnic or religious schisms in neighboring states.

The New York Times

It hardly helped that normally reliable home performers such as Cheik Tioté initially gave the ball away far too easily, provoking fast counter-attacks on City's part.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character or individual, use "easily provoked" to effectively convey a propensity for quick irritation or anger in response to minor stimuli.

Common error

While generally acceptable, overuse of "easily provoked" in highly formal or academic writing can be perceived as simplistic. Opt for more nuanced vocabulary such as 'irascible' or 'volatile' to convey greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easily provoked" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, often describing a person or group's tendency to become angry or irritated quickly. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "easily provoked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone or something that is readily angered or irritated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with news and media being the most frequent. While generally acceptable, users should consider more nuanced alternatives like "irascible" or "volatile" in highly formal settings to avoid oversimplification. The related phrases offer a variety of options to express similar sentiments with different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily angered

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the ease of causing anger.

quick to anger

Focuses on the speed at which anger arises.

short-tempered

Emphasizes the brevity of patience before anger.

irascible

Highlights a disposition of being easily irritated.

volatile

Implies a tendency to react strongly and unpredictably.

thin-skinned

Emphasizes a susceptibility to criticism or offense.

testy

Suggests impatience and irritability.

combustible

Implies a high potential for conflict or anger.

sensitive

Highlights a vulnerability to emotional triggers.

excitable

Focuses on the ease of being stirred up emotionally.

FAQs

How can I use "easily provoked" in a sentence?

You can use "easily provoked" to describe someone or something that reacts quickly to stimuli with anger or irritation. For example, "He was an "easily provoked" individual who often overreacted to small problems."

What are some alternatives to "easily provoked"?

Alternatives include "quick to anger", "irascible", "short-tempered", or "easily angered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "easily provoked" or "easily angered"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and usable. "Easily angered" is a more direct synonym. The choice depends on stylistic preference and the specific context. "Easily provoked" implies an external stimulus, while "easily angered" emphasizes an internal disposition.

What does it mean to describe someone as "easily provoked"?

Describing someone as "easily provoked" means they are quick to become angry or upset by even minor things. It suggests a low threshold for irritation and a tendency to react defensively or aggressively.