as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
The exec made the provocative comments on CNBC on Friday in an interview on Squawk Box (watch the full segment above).
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The premise of Good Boy, the new drama-dark-comedy-thriller by Corpus Christi helmer Jan Komasa, is certainly provocative.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
And in one provocative experiment, fans were more likely to step up for one another—being three times more likely to stop to help a stranger in need who is wearing their team’s jersey.
—Todd Rogers, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is much darker and culturally provocative.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The premise of Good Boy, the new drama-dark-comedy-thriller by Corpus Christi helmer Jan Komasa, is certainly provocative.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
And in one provocative experiment, fans were more likely to step up for one another—being three times more likely to stop to help a stranger in need who is wearing their team’s jersey.
—Todd Rogers, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is much darker and culturally provocative.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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After that, the first eight drives of the game all resulted in scores, delivering an exciting start to the season’s first game.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Mirza said the mobile bus has visited in the past, but that the permanent presence of dental care services is an exciting addition to UHI.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
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The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
Adjective
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Adam Crafton’s interview with him was thought-provoking.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Friday might pose a thought-provoking question.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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That’s turned out to not only be a kind leadership style, but a motivational one for a business with global ambitions.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
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The major winner gave a motivational speech to the team Saturday night, which captain Nathan Smith credited for energizing the squad.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After increasing her anti-seizure medication one more time, staff noticed Ginger becoming a calmer, happier, more social cat who was increasingly able to handle more and more stimulating situations and interactions.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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However, matcha’s high levels of L-theanine, a calming amino acid, help balance caffeine’s stimulating effects.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, the silver studs along the neckline add an edgy touch to your outfit.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Trump and his hogmen are co-opting actual Nazi lingo from the gutter of the internet, speaking in references only Fox News viewers and Q-Anon adherents can parse, and rehabilitating the r-word as some sort of edgy pose that the rest of us learned was cruel in middle school.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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