Quite obviously the striking of the Provost sergeant was under severe emotional provocation and the court is likely to look upon it as such.

They had been instructed by leaders not to attack the Americans, despite what they regarded as a severe provocation.

I shall recommend ways of keeping cool in the face of severe provocation.

'I wasn't counting then on encountering such severe provocation,' he murmured throatily.

He remained calm despite severe provocation and only left when ordered to do so by a senior UN official.

Not without severe provocation.

Wolfe was controlling himself under severe provocation.

We don't bother you religious, except under the most severe provocation.

He seldom bites, even under the severest provocation.

He acknowledges that the powers Indian troops possess are sometimes misused, but adds that they operate under severe provocation.