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

• charged
• edgy
• exciting
• inciting
• instigating
• instigative
• piquing
• provoking
• stimulating

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 provocative debut also hit festivals in Chicago, Montclair, Morelia, Santa Barbara and Sarasota. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

The Pinault Collection at the Bourse offers provocative art — minus the usual lectures on guilt and grievance. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 4 Apr. 2024

Nudes are one of the oldest and most stubbornly provocative tropes in Western art. —Julia Halperin, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Following that trip, Beijing conducted provocative military exercises in the region and severed communication across its government with U.S. counterparts. —Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Recent studies have led Hayes and a team of mostly Loma Linda University researchers to the provocative conclusion that rattlesnakes are anything but just instinctive people killers. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

At the stand of a provocative gallery called The Breeder, the artist Aristeidis Lappas had created a giant portrait of the Minotaur. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

Perhaps for Jackson’s provocative mix of high-mindedness and low satire. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024

In this provocative, self-referential spectacle that polarized a nation (okay, some particularly rabid fans), Itchy & Scratchy's falling ratings prompt the network suits to introduce a painfully over-hip canine. —EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

—Journal of the American Medical Association