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 Initially seen as provocative, the bra actually serves the purpose of affirming women who have gotten breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy, Grede said. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Her more provocative film interests were accompanied by publicly backing liberal causes. — Justine Fisher, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026 Others do not, such as the TV show conceit, which, though provocative in theory, will come across to many readers as functionally cosmetic. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 After two daring and provocative ready-to-wear shows, Jean Paul Gaultier creative director Duran Lantink took things down a notch this season. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 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
  • An unopened box may look exciting when it is surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • They're packaged quite perfectly for gift-giving in a gift set of four mini bars that are just as exciting to unwrap as an (edible) holiday treat.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 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
  • Straker, the foul-mouthed, Daily Mail–provoking British chef, has made his way stateside.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • Mershon echoes a motivational line to describe De Los Angeles’ mindset.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That message isn’t a blandly inspirational or emptily motivational one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Oct. 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
  • While Charles Zana’s interiors projects and designs whisper poetic refinement, he’s drawn to edgy works of postmodern art.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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 20 Oct. 2026.

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