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

Synonyms of provocative

• exciting
• charged
• provoking
• motivational
• motivating
• stimulating
• edgy

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

That’s the question posed by a provocative ad running ahead of screenings at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival, highlighting the dire state of film funding in Greece. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

This mother makes what the star did in the equally provocative Mother seem like child’s play. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025

The result is an exalted transfiguration of uninhibited gossip, breezy but earnest, carefree and provocative. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2025

One of the official accounts, @GovPressOffice, has seen nearly 1 billion impressions on X since those first provocative posts in June, per Newsom's campaign. —Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for provocative

• evocative
• talkative
• vocative

Kids 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