provoked

Stirred to react

Provoked is the past tense of provoke, meaning to deliberately stir up a reaction—usually anger or aggression.

Someone provoked might lash out in response: He hit me first—I was provoked.

The word often appears in legal and moral contexts where it mitigates blame: The attack was unprovoked suggests greater culpability than She was provoked into responding.

angered

furious

Extremely angry

irateExtremely angry
enragedExtremely, intensely provoked
lividExtremely angry or discolored

seething · wrathful · indignant · fuming · outraged · exasperated · annoyed · agitated · infuriated · vexed

incited

instigate

Cause to begin

fomentProvoke or stir up
rouseStir to wakefulness
stirMix by circling

ignite · spark · trigger · galvanize · inflame · kindle · agitate · spur · goad · prod

retaliation

response

Answer to stimulus

backlashStrong negative reaction
counterattackOffensive response to aggression
reprisalPunitive action in return

revenge · reaction · rebound · repercussion · counteraction · rejoinder · reciprocation · payback · vengeance · retribution

stimulated

inspired

Moved to action

motivatedSpurred to action
arousedAwakened or excited
awakenedBrought to consciousness

spurred · prompted · encouraged · piqued · excited · animated · fired up · energized · stirred · moved

offense

affront

Deliberate public insult

insultOffensive remark or action
slightMinor or thin
snubDeliberate dismissive rejection

disrespect · taunt · jibe · barb · dig · mockery · derision · belittlement · ridicule · goading

provoked

furious

instigate

response

inspired

affront

provoked

Opposites

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