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Provoked: meaning, definitions and examples

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provoked

 

[prəʊˈvəʊkd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

emotional reaction

Provoked refers to the act of causing someone to feel or exhibit a strong reaction or emotion, often as a result of a specific action or stimulus. It typically implies an intent or unintentional act that leads to anger, irritation, or other heightened emotions.

Synonyms

aroused, incited, stimulated.

Examples of usage

  • His comments provoked a fierce debate.
  • The sudden noise provoked a startled response.
  • She was provoked to anger by his remarks.
Context #2 | Verb

physical action

In a physical context, to provoke can mean to incite a reaction through an action or behavior, such as poking or challenging someone. This usage often involves provoking someone to respond physically, whether by fighting or another form of confrontation.

Synonyms

agitated, antagonized, instigated.

Examples of usage

  • He provoked the dog by teasing it.
  • They were playing a game that provoked friendly competition.
  • She provoked her brother into a playful fight.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'provocare,' meaning 'to call forth' or 'to summon.'
  • In Old French, the word 'provoquer' had similar meanings and was adopted into English in the late 15th century.

Psychology

  • Research shows that being provoked can trigger the fight-or-flight response in the brain, affecting emotional regulation.
  • Provocation is often studied in conflict resolution to understand how escalating tensions can lead to aggression.

Literature

  • Many literary characters are often provoked into action by their emotions, which drives the plot forward.
  • Shakespeare often explored themes of provocation in his works, highlighting the consequences of characters acting on strong emotions.

Social Dynamics

  • In social settings, certain behaviors or comments can be seen as provoking, leading to conflicts or heated discussions.
  • Understanding what provokes people can help in mediating disputes and improving communication.

History

  • Throughout history, revolutions have often been sparked by provocation from authorities, leading to massive social changes.
  • Major wars were sometimes provoked by acts of aggression between nations, altering political landscapes dramatically.

Translations

Translations of the word "provoked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 provocado

🇮🇳 उत्तेजित किया गया

🇩🇪 provoziert

🇮🇩 diprovokasi

🇺🇦 спричинений

🇵🇱 prowokowany

🇯🇵 挑発された

🇫🇷 provoqué

🇪🇸 provocado

🇹🇷 provokasyona uğramış

🇰🇷 유발된

🇸🇦 مستفز

🇨🇿 vyprovokovaný

🇸🇰 vyprovokovaný

🇨🇳 挑衅的

🇸🇮 provociran

🇮🇸 öskur

🇰🇿 тудырлатылған

🇬🇪 გამოწვეული

🇦🇿 təhrik olunmuş

🇲🇽 provocado

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,801 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.