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
Resembling a pair of interlocking white cubes, the structure strikes a provocative pose on its leafy suburban lot.
—
Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Senate candidate Mike Collins cut ties Friday with a controversial operative at the center of a House Ethics complaint after a history of provocative social media posts and mounting scrutiny ahead of a June GOP runoff against Derek Dooley.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
In a clear sign that Ben Gvir, a politician known for his provocative stunts, had gone too far for his government colleagues, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, publicly rebuked him.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
This summer, take your look from soft and romantic to effortlessly cool and provocative.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Senate candidate Mike Collins cut ties Friday with a controversial operative at the center of a House Ethics complaint after a history of provocative social media posts and mounting scrutiny ahead of a June GOP runoff against Derek Dooley.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
In a clear sign that Ben Gvir, a politician known for his provocative stunts, had gone too far for his government colleagues, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, publicly rebuked him.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
This summer, take your look from soft and romantic to effortlessly cool and provocative.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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