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
There are some sweet crushes, but nothing provocative at all.
—
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025
Environmental and natural resource lawyer Rebecca Sokol argued in favor of such indirect, behavioral strategies, in a provocative 2020 paper, and agrees with Paz’s assessment.
—Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025
Miley Cyrus‘ Bangerz era was pretty unforgettable, with the pop star repeatedly shocking the world through risqué outfits and provocative performances at a time when many still associated her with the squeaky-clean image of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 June 2025
This raises provocative opportunities for industries like travel and entertainment, which could position themselves as gateways to intentional time use.
—Andrea Eboli, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 June 2025
Environmental and natural resource lawyer Rebecca Sokol argued in favor of such indirect, behavioral strategies, in a provocative 2020 paper, and agrees with Paz’s assessment.
—Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025
Miley Cyrus‘ Bangerz era was pretty unforgettable, with the pop star repeatedly shocking the world through risqué outfits and provocative performances at a time when many still associated her with the squeaky-clean image of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 June 2025
This raises provocative opportunities for industries like travel and entertainment, which could position themselves as gateways to intentional time use.
—Andrea Eboli, Forbes.com, 9 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 16 Jun. 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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