provocative

play

adjective pro·voc·a·tive \ prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv \

Definition of provocative

:serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate

a provocative question

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provocative

noun

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provocatively

adverb

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provocativeness

noun

See provocative defined for English-language learners

See provocative defined for kids

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 of provocative from the Web

This kind of hopeful message is almost provocative in this day and age.

— anna silman, The Cut, "Why Did Lake Bell Make a Defense-of-Marriage Movie?," 30 Aug. 2017
Bayern's social accounts never shy away from posting something provocative and tongue-in-cheek as Arsenal fans found out earlier this year following their 10-2 aggregate defeat to the Bavarian outfit.

— SI.com, "Bayern Munich Send Tweet to Neymar After Drawing PSG in Champions League Group Stages," 24 Aug. 2017
What North Korea proposes is as provocative as someone firing a gun loaded with blanks in your direction.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "How the U.S. Would Stop Missiles Headed to Guam," 11 Aug. 2017
Among its more provocative statements, Pyongyang threatened Tuesday to direct its ballistic missiles toward Guam.

— author: philip rucker, karen deyoung, Alaska Dispatch News, "Trump’s threat to North Korea contrasts with calm reassurances of other administration officials," 10 Aug. 2017
Kendrick Lamar's videos for DAMN. have been some of the most arresting short films to be viewed in a YouTube window, every bit as provocative and confrontational as each track has been.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Kendrick Lamar's Video for "Loyalty" Is an Old-School Gangster Throwback," 28 July 2017
As a way to advertise the prostitution, prosecutors said Moorman would take and post provocative photos of the victims on the internet.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati man to be sentenced to prostitution charges in Florida," 26 July 2017
Thursday’s report in the British journal Lancet is provocative — its authors acknowledge their estimate is theoretical, based on statistical modeling.

— lauran neergaard, The Seattle Times, "Lifestyle changes may help stave off Alzheimer’s," 20 July 2017
The complete anti-haze manifesto, posted at blog.averybrewing.com, makes provocative, if beer-geeky, reading.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Which beers best quench the thirst of extreme athletes?," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provocative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of provocative

15th century

provocative Synonyms

Synonyms

charged, edgy, exciting, inciting, instigating, instigative, piquing, provoking, stimulating

Antonyms

noninflammatory

Near Antonyms

subduing

PROVOCATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

provocative

play

adjective

Definition of provocative for English Language Learners

: causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.
: causing sexual feelings or excitement

PROVOCATIVE Defined for Kids

provocative

play

adjective pro·voc·a·tive \ prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv \

Definition of provocative for Students

:serving or likely to cause a reaction (as interest, curiosity, or anger)

a provocative statement

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provocatively

adverb

Medical Dictionary

provocative

play

adjective pro·voc·a·tive \ prə-ˈväk-ət-iv \

medical Definition of provocative

:serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate

provocative test for coronary spasm
—Journal of the American Medical Association

Learn More about provocative

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First Known Use of provocative

provocative Synonyms

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PROVOCATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

provocative

Definition of provocative for English Language Learners

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provocative

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provocatively

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provocative

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