as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Biafra emerged as one of the most provocative voices in American punk after co-founding Dead Kennedys in San Francisco in 1978.
—
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The collection’s most provocative move was its silhouette.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
The most provocative and explicitly political depictions of a female Creature came in Andy Warhol’s Flesh for Frankenstein (Warhol did not write, direct, or produce; it was written and directed by Warhol associate Paul Morrisey).
—Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
In Oakland, he’s charged with murder under the provocative act theory, with prosecutors alleging he and his cousin, Roosevelt Jones, robbed a man who fought back and killed Jones lawfully.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
The collection’s most provocative move was its silhouette.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
The most provocative and explicitly political depictions of a female Creature came in Andy Warhol’s Flesh for Frankenstein (Warhol did not write, direct, or produce; it was written and directed by Warhol associate Paul Morrisey).
—Rory Doherty, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
In Oakland, he’s charged with murder under the provocative act theory, with prosecutors alleging he and his cousin, Roosevelt Jones, robbed a man who fought back and killed Jones lawfully.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
-
As small business owners and Broward natives, Binder and Terrell said Thrive’s rapid growth has been exciting to see.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Despite all the change the property has been through—or maybe because of it—the motel feels uniquely fresh and exciting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
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
-
Gosling voices the film’s thought-provoking questions about victimization and villainy with full commitment, and his rigidity — that tall posture, those limitless eyes — add another layer to the work.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
There is more cackling when Jesus tries to explain Arteta’s latest motivational technique.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Group moderators lead monthly motivational challenges that users can sign up for.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Musk recently embraced the phrase with a meme of eyes reddened from the intoxicating exhaustion of situation monitoring—a recreation more stimulating, the joke goes, than any chemical substance.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Chuck Reger, franchise business coach at Five Star Painting, says bright red is highly stimulating and naturally increases alertness.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the humor was mildly edgy, including jokes about pedophiles, the Epstein files and disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Dweck’s edgy comedy horro rDead Lover, Sofia Coppola documentary Marc By Sofia, and the official theatrical release of historical epic Palestine ’36.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
