Provoked about American editor (6)
I believe the answer is:
caused
'provoked' is the definition.
(provoke can mean to cause or bring about)
'about american editor' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'ca' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'american' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for United States).
'editor' becomes 'ed' (abbreviation).
'ca'+'us'+'ed'='CAUSED'
(Other definitions for caused that I've seen before include "Brought about" , "Produced as an effect" , "Made happen" , "Gave rise to" .)