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
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
By the end, some of the provocative moves with the rattling bone piles will likely fuel criticism from the usual close-minded detractors.
—
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
And while the notion that Lennon and Ono came to understand America through its television programming is provocative, too frequently the collage of grim news and glib ads leans toward the tritely ironic.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Sometimes, that exploratory process entails saying provocative things.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
The statement on Kayhan's provocative rhetoric underscores growing concerns over the direction of U.S.-Iran relations and the impact of such rhetoric on potential future negotiations.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
And while the notion that Lennon and Ono came to understand America through its television programming is provocative, too frequently the collage of grim news and glib ads leans toward the tritely ironic.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Sometimes, that exploratory process entails saying provocative things.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
The statement on Kayhan's provocative rhetoric underscores growing concerns over the direction of U.S.-Iran relations and the impact of such rhetoric on potential future negotiations.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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