as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Recent Examples of provocative
Keep in mind that someone who appears calm and collected while making subtly provocative comments isn’t necessarily innocent!
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Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
The United States has been effective thus far in deterring China from invading Taiwan but has not prevented China from undertaking other provocative actions in the South China Sea.
—Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
The group also agreed that China should do more to curb North Korea’s provocative actions and to stop supporting Russia’s defense industrial base, Blinken said.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
In the novel, an astrophysicist, as an act of revenge for her father’s murder by Red Guards, chooses to put Earth at risk by sending out a provocative interstellar message to hostile aliens.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative 
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
The United States has been effective thus far in deterring China from invading Taiwan but has not prevented China from undertaking other provocative actions in the South China Sea.
—Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
The group also agreed that China should do more to curb North Korea’s provocative actions and to stop supporting Russia’s defense industrial base, Blinken said.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
In the novel, an astrophysicist, as an act of revenge for her father’s murder by Red Guards, chooses to put Earth at risk by sending out a provocative interstellar message to hostile aliens.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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But the most exciting openings are from proudly South African brands: Newmark Hotels is pioneering the 21-suite Apostle Battery Mountain Lodge in the Table Mountain National Park above Llandudno beach, an ambitious restoration of a historic military site.Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2024
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Some of the most exciting technological developments coming in 2025 are around longevity.Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 May 2024
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Of course, genocide is a charged and redolent term, recalling the systematic precision of the Holocaust and the society-wide butchery of the Rwandan genocide.Kristina Hook, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2022
Adjective
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Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
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His creative licensing with my performance, always thought provoking and precise with his 'on point' direction for my performance as Regan.Clark Collis, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2023
Adjective
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However, The Night of the Hunter is compelling, visually stimulating, and downright thrilling.B.J. Colangelo, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024
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The surface array the company built also has 12 stimulating electrodes composed of 8,400 graphene micro-islands that can deliver focused stimulation, but in this initial human study, the stimulation won’t be turned on.Emily Mullin, WIRED, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Young people tend to favor political personalities perceived as edgy, rebellious and countercultural.Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
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The preppy style staple is an unexpected pairing with something as edgy as black leather pants, but the flat front, side slit pockets, and clean wide waistband add smart tailoring to these relaxed travel-friendly bottoms.Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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