a thoughtful and provocative book
It was one of his more provocative suggestions.
She was wearing a very provocative outfit.
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.
15th century
charged, edgy, exciting, inciting, instigating, instigative, piquing, provoking, stimulating;
explosive, fiery, incendiary, inflammatory, triggering;
inducing, inspirational, inspiring, motivating, motivational, motivative;
activating, energizing, galvanizing, quickening, vitalizing;
angering, enraging, maddening, upsetting;
aggravating, annoying, bothersome, exasperating, galling, irksome, irritating, pesky, vexatious, vexing;
: causing discussion, thought, argument, etc.
: causing sexual feelings or excitement
See words that rhyme with provocative Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for provocative Spanish Central: Translation of provocative Nglish: Translation of provocative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of provocative for Arabic speakers
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