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
After the soapy drama series became a viral hit over the summer due to its unapologetically provocative and steamy content, Netflix, who had initially acquired the show from Starz, quickly ordered a second season, and is now just days away from beginning production in North Carolina.
—
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
The only people for whom this situation isn’t terrifying are us, the audience, who feel nothing but the purgatorial torpor of sitting through a movie that’s too afraid of its own concept to do anything truly provocative with it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
McGruder’s unique voice and fearless satire have long earned him a reputation for mixing humour with provocative reflection.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Social media amplifies the problem, rewarding the loudest voices, the most provocative posts, the most righteous indignation.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
The only people for whom this situation isn’t terrifying are us, the audience, who feel nothing but the purgatorial torpor of sitting through a movie that’s too afraid of its own concept to do anything truly provocative with it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
McGruder’s unique voice and fearless satire have long earned him a reputation for mixing humour with provocative reflection.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Social media amplifies the problem, rewarding the loudest voices, the most provocative posts, the most righteous indignation.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 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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