as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
she is no stranger to controversy, having penned several instigative and inflammatory books attacking liberals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigative
Adjective
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Raenah Birdlong, 33, who did not fire any shots, was charged under the provocative act doctrine, meaning her actions led to the death and wounding of the two men, authorities said.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026 -
Commentators frame the idea as fanciful or provocative.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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“Instigative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigative. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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