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
These songs were birthed before social media algorithms shaped the direction of popular music, when singles and their accompanying videos had less winks, less meta commentary, less need to be provocative.
—
Clarence A. Haynes
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
The film is provocative, if gently so, in suggesting to consider how a radical was made, and that mistreatment and bias in the West can be a contributing factor.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
Kara Walker, one of visual art’s most provocative creators over the last 40 years.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Some critics called out the cover’s provocative and sexualized imagery, with a few going as far as to claim that the image was anti-feminist.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Clarence A. Haynes
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
The film is provocative, if gently so, in suggesting to consider how a radical was made, and that mistreatment and bias in the West can be a contributing factor.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
Kara Walker, one of visual art’s most provocative creators over the last 40 years.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Some critics called out the cover’s provocative and sexualized imagery, with a few going as far as to claim that the image was anti-feminist.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 25 June 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 11 Jul. 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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