as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
Besides its provocative moniker, there’s a reason the app went mega-viral without spending a dime on advertising — and didn’t even have to pretend to be a buzzy new AI product.
—
Catherine Thorbecke, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2026
His departure from Salzburg was provocative.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Tyler brought the same provocative, chaotic self-expression into his solo career in 2009 with the mixtape Bastard, then broke into Billboard’s top five with his studio albums Goblin (2011), Wolf (2013) Cherry Bomb (2015) and Flower Boy (2017).
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Still, provocative images of me are being produced.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Catherine Thorbecke, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2026
His departure from Salzburg was provocative.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Tyler brought the same provocative, chaotic self-expression into his solo career in 2009 with the mixtape Bastard, then broke into Billboard’s top five with his studio albums Goblin (2011), Wolf (2013) Cherry Bomb (2015) and Flower Boy (2017).
—Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Still, provocative images of me are being produced.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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The park offers one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Southern Africa, with a million acres of biodiverse savannas, wetlands, and montane rainforests, and a range of animals that includes buffalo herds, lion prides, and an array of birds.—
Lisa Grainger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
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That changed two years ago, when the ISU lifted its ban in a bid to make the sport more exciting and popular among younger fans.—
Fernanda Figueroa,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 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
Adjective
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Collections and designers put their best foot forward, delivering high-caliber collections — some were uplifting, others were thought-provoking, most were both.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
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But the arithmetic exercise is thought-provoking, nonetheless.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Amid the blowback surrounding the controversial outing, Kid Rock took to social media Thursday to share a motivational quote from the Los Angeles Lakers star, who died in a helicopter crash in early 2020.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
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With an experiential exhibit on Anne Frank and a robust schedule of motivational speaking engagements, film screenings, tours, and workshops, this important museum is the only one of its kind in the world.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Isaacson sometimes recommends his patients even try a cognitively stimulating activity while exercising, such as taking a meeting while walking or doing cognitive training on a stationary bike.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
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Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Matte black with glossy tips—in a trending square shape, no less—achieves just the right balance of edgy and elevated.—
Samantha Brash,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
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Harder to classify is the latest from the edgiest troupe in town, Ochre House Theater, where company members write all of the group’s material.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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