provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv 
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
a provocative question
provocative
noun
provocatively
adverb
provocativeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of provocative in a Sentence
a thoughtful and provocative book
It was one of his more provocative suggestions.
She was wearing a very provocative outfit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Singing over gruff hip-hop beats and ethereal minimalist ballads, the Argentine singer weaves a provocative tale of self-discovery with diaristic lyrics that excavate self-acceptance, intense romance and emotional maturity.
—
Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
While the nomadic clan has picked up and moved at their leisure in the past, this provocative drama unfolds at a time when there’s no running from the future or from one another.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
The hotel's buzz is due to its provocative mix of old and new.
—Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
With Trump still riding a post-election high, some of the people and institutions that seem headed for an inevitable collision with the returning President have so far been remarkably wary of clapping back at him, even when presented with the most provocative of Trump’s insults.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
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Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
While the nomadic clan has picked up and moved at their leisure in the past, this provocative drama unfolds at a time when there’s no running from the future or from one another.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
The hotel's buzz is due to its provocative mix of old and new.
—Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
With Trump still riding a post-election high, some of the people and institutions that seem headed for an inevitable collision with the returning President have so far been remarkably wary of clapping back at him, even when presented with the most provocative of Trump’s insults.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
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Dictionary Entries Near provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈväk-ət-iv
: serving or tending to provoke
provocative comments
provocatively
adverb
provocativeness
noun
Medical Definition
provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈväk-ət-iv
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
provocative test for coronary spasm—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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