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
The nickname is the latest in a long line of posts from Newsom's team that emulates the style of President Trump- provocative and unashamedly boisterous.
—
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The rebellious indie film studio A24 is brilliant at selling small, provocative films.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
De Zerbi’s outbursts, which are often echoed by comparably provocative public pronouncements by Benatia, seem designed to keep the notoriously combustible club living in a permanent state of heightened tension.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Denying someone access to provocative art, even art that was designed to be consumed by the entire public, feels like an invasion of privacy.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The rebellious indie film studio A24 is brilliant at selling small, provocative films.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
De Zerbi’s outbursts, which are often echoed by comparably provocative public pronouncements by Benatia, seem designed to keep the notoriously combustible club living in a permanent state of heightened tension.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Denying someone access to provocative art, even art that was designed to be consumed by the entire public, feels like an invasion of privacy.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 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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