provocative

adjective

prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv How to pronounce provocative (audio)
Definition of provocativenext
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

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 Now those tensions threaten to ignite once more following a provocative celebration by one of Haiti’s star players as his controversial remarks and the fallout inject fresh friction into the relationship. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 But instead of leaning into all the details in King’s book that are provocative and discomfiting, Flanagan’s Carrie goes for the path of least resistance. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 The lights dimmed, and there before them was Artificial, Luca Guadagnino’s provocative new film about the birth of OpenAI and two of its founders, Sam Altman and Ilya Sutskever. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 The panel wrapped with a provocative audience question from an NBCUniversal exec who asked the panel what the best path forward for her company would be. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
  1. exciting
  2. charged
  3. provoking
  4. motivational
  5. stimulating
  6. edgy
Adjective
  • More hotels are expected from exciting names in hospitality like Edition, W, and Rocco Forte—just in time too, as Milan will co-host the winter Olympics in 2026, a duty shared with the ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There is always more to do; often more exciting, more rewarding, more fruitful work, thanks to technology.
    — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 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
  • Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The proper pose is a strict neutrality — neither agreeing nor provoking — simply seeking the first opportunity to disengage.
    — Judith Martin, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • According to her TikTok profile, Velasquez is a motivational speaker and author with more than 940,000 followers on the platform.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Swayze, who McDonnell had worked with once before, played motivational speaker Jim Cunningham, who was revealed to be in possession of child pornography in the movie.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of motivational
Adjective
  • Those who understand quickly move forward, while those who need more time, a different explanation or a less stimulating environment can easily fall behind.
    — Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Adjective
  • With his stand-up, Rock avoided being fake edgy; his analogy for how to get there is a pharmaceutical company making a cancer drug.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Hilton’s edgy attitude and pugnacious put-downs would place him right at home among the network’s collection of trolls, provocateurs and Democrat-bashing gargoyles.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of edgy

Browse Nearby Words

provocations
provocative
provocatively
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Cite this Entry

“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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