as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
she is no stranger to controversy, having penned several instigative and inflammatory books attacking liberals
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigative
Adjective
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Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.—
Troy Closson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025 -
The movies were provocative by design, and many critics condemned the movie.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
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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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Cite this Entry
“Instigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigative. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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