What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unprovoked
Example
The dog's unprovoked attack left the child with serious injuries. [unprovoked: adjective]
Example
The police officer used unprovoked force against the peaceful protesters. [unprovoked: adjective]
unwarranted
Example
The company's decision to lay off workers was unwarranted and caused a lot of hardship. [unwarranted: adjective]
Example
The teacher's unwarranted criticism of the student's work was demotivating. [unwarranted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unwarranted is more commonly used than unprovoked in everyday language. Unwarranted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unprovoked is less common and mainly used to describe sudden attacks or aggression.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unprovoked and unwarranted?
Both unprovoked and unwarranted are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional writing. However, unwarranted is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while unprovoked is less common and may sound too formal in some situations.
