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
Kinky Friedman, the satirical and often provocative musician, author and one-time politician, has died at the age of 79.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 June 2024
Such feedback invokes one of the most provocative ideas in the history of Western science: the Gaia hypothesis.
—Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
Lanthimos ridicules mankind’s treachery in films that, scene by scene, are not provocative, just crass.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 June 2024
Celebrating a season packed with everything from jukebox juggernauts to prickly, provocative dramas, Tony voters spread accolades across a diverse array of shows, signaling an embrace of originality, ingenuity and love of the art form.
—Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative 
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 June 2024
Such feedback invokes one of the most provocative ideas in the history of Western science: the Gaia hypothesis.
—Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
Lanthimos ridicules mankind’s treachery in films that, scene by scene, are not provocative, just crass.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 June 2024
Celebrating a season packed with everything from jukebox juggernauts to prickly, provocative dramas, Tony voters spread accolades across a diverse array of shows, signaling an embrace of originality, ingenuity and love of the art form.
—Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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