PROVOCATIVE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

provocative

adjective

prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv

Definition of provocative

as in exciting

serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of provocative The idea was intriguing; could one of cinema’s most idiosyncratic and provocative auteurs apply his skill set to a mainstream genre project without either Ferrara or Hollywood losing anything in the process? — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 The first thing to go in The Disappearers, Marlon James’s provocative new novel, is innocence. — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 Political ascension Steinem began parlaying the fame that came from her provocative writing to political organizing. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 American politics bleed into the margins of their conversations, which are heady and serious, and then brash and provocative. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative

Adjective

This is an exciting step forward for Eisenberg the director, who had a breakthrough a couple of years ago with the lovely A Real Pain, which earned co-star Kieran Culkin an Academy Award.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Mikel Arteta’s champions are built around a solid defence and strangling the opposition through possession, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have had very little of the ball during his first few games, but have still built an exciting style.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
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

Definition of charged

Adjective

The Best Books of the Year (So Far) Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.

— Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
Chiarella has come up with an ingenious premise that is as twisted as it is thought-provoking.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Definition of provoking

Adjective

Mann, 42, started making YouTube content in 2018 under the Dhar Mann Studios banner, centered around morality and motivational videos.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Instead, his endless threats worked like an aggressive motivational speech, compelling Canadians to come to their senses about the state of their overdependent relationship.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivational

Adjective

Creating edgy body jewelry for the designer’s runway collections—most famously, the aluminum neck-to-waist Coiled Corset for The Overlook Autumn/Winter 1999-2000 collection—turned Leane into a boldfaced name.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
Similar to how the underground hip-hop, skateboard, and street basketball scenes generated hype before the complete social media takeover, Ngy created an edgy DVD of his 2012 season.

— Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of edgy

Browse Nearby Words

provocations

provocative

provocatively

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“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocative

adjective

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