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
Each riddim more innovative and provocative than the one before.
—
Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Some particularly outrageous one-liners about race snuck into the film’s final cut, although much of its dicier material comes off as weirdly effortful instead of provocative or reckless.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The Indian government, far more committed to democratic procedures than its Chinese counterpart, had crushed dissenters for actions far less provocative.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
One of the more provocative moments of the six-episode second season is when Pine and Teddy perform a seductive dance with Camila Morrone’s Roxana, who ends up looking like a bit of a third wheel.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Some particularly outrageous one-liners about race snuck into the film’s final cut, although much of its dicier material comes off as weirdly effortful instead of provocative or reckless.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
The Indian government, far more committed to democratic procedures than its Chinese counterpart, had crushed dissenters for actions far less provocative.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
One of the more provocative moments of the six-episode second season is when Pine and Teddy perform a seductive dance with Camila Morrone’s Roxana, who ends up looking like a bit of a third wheel.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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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