as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
In the early 1970s, four artists from East Los Angeles got together for an exhibition with a provocative concept: to display their worst works.
—
Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
From there look at provocative questions that will challenge your thinking.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Deliberately provocative, the film stars Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren as the thief and the wife of the title.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Ankara imposed a four-day ban on gatherings and restricted access to some social media to restrict communications, with dozens of people detained over what authorities called provocative posts.
—CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
From there look at provocative questions that will challenge your thinking.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Deliberately provocative, the film stars Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren as the thief and the wife of the title.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Ankara imposed a four-day ban on gatherings and restricted access to some social media to restrict communications, with dozens of people detained over what authorities called provocative posts.
—CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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The tools offer exciting new clues to how people living in the area thousands of years ago may have lived and interacted.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
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Outside of Matthews’ single shot, the most exciting chance the line created was an out-of-character clapper from Marner off the rush that was more of a novelty than a high-danger look.—
Nick Ashbourne,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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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Venture Colonialism There is arguably no single scholar more well versed, incisive, and thought provoking than Stern in analyzing the evolution of joint-stock corporations in the British Empire.—
Caroline Elkins,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Aug. 2023
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Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
17 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Switch to less stimulating activities without screens, like reading or taking a bath.—
Ankur Bindal,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The real challenge moving forward will be the balance between combating inflation and stimulating growth, especially in developed markets.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Gone were the light acoustic drums and Fender Rhodes, in were catchy choruses and edgy melodies, songs rooted in soul yet equally indebted to rap.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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At Stella McCartney’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear runway show during Paris Fashion Week, Macron wore a tiger-print midi dress with a tie-neck detail, paired with edgy thigh-high boots, wholly demonstrating the versatility of her wardrobe.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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