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
Harwicz’s novels are more hallucinatory than supernatural—but a more provocative distinction between her books and others in this semi-subgenre is that, for her characters, motherhood does not cause animal rage and instability so much as instantiate them.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
Many critics praised Tuttle for handling such a provocative subject with sensitivity.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Holbrook plays Brodie, a podcaster who is beloved by a young male audience for his provocative, controversial takes, nodding to the rise of bro podcasters in today’s zeitgeist.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The brutal, provocative opening scene featuring Xavier Dolan depicting the realism of bigotry and hate is stomach-churning, but fits into the dark atmosphere of the source material.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025
Many critics praised Tuttle for handling such a provocative subject with sensitivity.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
Holbrook plays Brodie, a podcaster who is beloved by a young male audience for his provocative, controversial takes, nodding to the rise of bro podcasters in today’s zeitgeist.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The brutal, provocative opening scene featuring Xavier Dolan depicting the realism of bigotry and hate is stomach-churning, but fits into the dark atmosphere of the source material.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 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 Oct. 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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