as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
Versace, who founded his eponymous label in 1978, made his name shaping the fashion landscape in the 1980s and early ‘90s with glamorous and often provocative designs.
—
Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
With inflation having now cooled, but still far from a settled issue, El-Erian is now raising a provocative question: Will America’s next era recall Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter?
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
The provocative documentary by director Nim Shapira focuses on the street war that broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups that tore down each other’s messages about the 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Following the exit of John Galliano, Glenn Martens made his debut as creative director of Maison Margiela with an Artisanal collection honoring the house’s legacy of provocative, avant-garde fashions while also sticking an unwashed thumb in the eye of the numbing quiet luxury juggernaut.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
With inflation having now cooled, but still far from a settled issue, El-Erian is now raising a provocative question: Will America’s next era recall Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter?
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
The provocative documentary by director Nim Shapira focuses on the street war that broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups that tore down each other’s messages about the 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Following the exit of John Galliano, Glenn Martens made his debut as creative director of Maison Margiela with an Artisanal collection honoring the house’s legacy of provocative, avant-garde fashions while also sticking an unwashed thumb in the eye of the numbing quiet luxury juggernaut.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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Replace apprehension with an exciting conversation about what’s possible, and then invest in training and skills development to help your talent thrive in the new AI era.—
Ronald Alepian,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Golden State looks to bounce back from an exciting 104-102 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 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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Venture Colonialism There is arguably no single scholar more well versed, incisive, and thought provoking than Stern in analyzing the evolution of joint-stock corporations in the British Empire.—
Caroline Elkins,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Aug. 2023
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Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
17 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Your letter completes our stimulating and fruitful relationship these several (many?) years.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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Best of all, admission is free for everyone on Tuesdays, providing a budget-friendly and intellectually stimulating way to spend an afternoon indoors.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Kylie Cooper | Reuters 'Not as edgy as before' Through word of mouth and social media, Target's name became synonymous over the years with fashion-forward finds for less.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
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The edgy, militarized border renders Indians and Pakistanis, who had lived together in overlapping communities before the Partition, almost completely inaccessible to one another.—
Sam Dalrymple,
Time,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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