provoked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something has caused a reaction, often an emotional or aggressive one. Example: "His comments provoked a strong response from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of the 1,243 UK applications pending for judicial assessment at the end of last year, over 1,000 relate to voting rights for prisoners – the unresolved issue that has provoked a bitter stand-off between the UK parliament and the ECHR.

The Guardian

Although the TDIC said the report showed that improvements had been made, this August saw violent clashes among migrant labourers, reportedly provoked by the deportation of strikers and the hiring of "scab" workers.

The Guardian

His rise from humble origins to leader of 1.25 billion people has inspired many – but also provoked scorn from elite politicians who have mocked his background.

The Guardian

The attack provoked a wave of disgust and outrage across France, reaching government level, until Leblanc confessed that she had made the whole thing up.

The Guardian - Film

The panic in the British establishment provoked by Edward's affair with Simpson and his apparent belief that he could get away with marrying her and remain king has been widely reported.

The Guardian

The herding and slaughter of dolphins, highlighted by The Cove, has provoked outrage among animal welfare groups and some governments.

The Guardian

The widespread blandness provoked reservations about the depth of United's vaunted means.

The Guardian - Sport

The Tory peer recently provoked anger when he declared the living wage campaign irrelevant.

The Guardian - Business

The decision to bring it back provoked a huge response, and 60% of the population have said they will tune in for the next episode.

The Guardian

What the then Ignacio Hurban encountered at the Carlotto home provoked something akin to culture shock.

The Guardian

Instead of trapping and slowly eliminating the virus, some believe that disabling the CCR5 receptor simply provoked it to mutate and invade cells via alternative receptors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoked", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who initiated the action or reaction. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "provoked" when a milder term like "suggested" or "encouraged" would be more appropriate. "Provoked" often implies a strong or negative reaction, so use it judiciously to avoid exaggerating the intensity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

Provoked functions primarily as the past tense of the verb "provoke", indicating an action that incites or stimulates a reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where a cause-and-effect relationship is highlighted, leading to a notable response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoked" functions as the past tense of the verb 'provoke' and is employed to denote actions that trigger a response. Ludwig AI indicates this word is grammatically correct and frequently used within the news and media. The term generally maintains a neutral tone and implies an instigating action that leads to a discernible reaction. When using "provoked", ensure clarity by specifying the instigator of the action to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""triggered"", ""instigated"", or ""elicited"" can be used to add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered

Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, where something sets off a chain of events.

sparked

Implies a sudden burst or initiation of something, often an intense reaction.

prompted

Indicates a direct cause for an action or response.

instigated

Suggests a more deliberate initiation of an action or event.

incited

Suggests encouraging or stirring up violent or unlawful behavior.

elicited

Suggests drawing out a response or reaction from someone or something.

aroused

Implies stirring up emotions or feelings.

stimulated

Suggests encouraging activity or development.

generated

Implies creating or producing a response or outcome.

caused

A general term indicating that something led to a particular result.

FAQs

How can I use "provoked" in a sentence?

"Provoked" describes an action that causes a reaction. For instance, "His comments "provoked a strong reaction" from the audience" shows a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

What can I say instead of "provoked"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "triggered", "instigated", or "elicited". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "provoked by" or "provoked from"?

The correct phrasing is "provoked by". For example, "The protest was "provoked by the new law"" is grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "provoked" and "inspired"?

"Provoked" often implies a negative or contentious reaction, while "inspired" suggests a positive or creative influence. "His speech provoked anger" versus "His speech "inspired hope"" illustrates the difference.