as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
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
An architect by training, Censori, 31, has been an enigmatic and largely silent fixture in West’s orbit for years, making her statements mostly through provocative performance art that often incorporates public nudity.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Moshfegh, who pairs regressive politics with a wild, provocative humor, is an obvious influence on Dimes Square novels.
—Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Though provocative then and now, there is a rigor to the design of Gernreich’s monokini that is akin to that of Achille Castiglioni’s Arco Lamp, which was designed just a few years earlier.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
An architect by training, Censori, 31, has been an enigmatic and largely silent fixture in West’s orbit for years, making her statements mostly through provocative performance art that often incorporates public nudity.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Moshfegh, who pairs regressive politics with a wild, provocative humor, is an obvious influence on Dimes Square novels.
—Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Though provocative then and now, there is a rigor to the design of Gernreich’s monokini that is akin to that of Achille Castiglioni’s Arco Lamp, which was designed just a few years earlier.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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Article continues below Seasonal boost to auroras This week's storm watch comes at an especially exciting time for aurora hunters, with many regarding March as one of the best months to see the northern lights.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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So, to see him now, four solo albums deep, embracing a love of dance is exciting.—
Annie Harrigan,
Billboard,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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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
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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
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But the arithmetic exercise is thought-provoking, nonetheless.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Wood is a former model and actor who has since become a motivational speaker, according to his Facebook, and a breathwork instructor, according to his Instagram.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
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Pereira’s side should possess the motivational edge, even if Fulham still have distant hopes of qualifying for European football.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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Kristen Stewart, who tends to put her own spin on Chanel’s classic looks, continued that trend in an edgy, black sheer and netted jacket and skirt from the Métiers d’art 2026 collection.—
Brandi Fowler,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
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To the filmmakers’ credit, though, tension and edgy humor are sustained for nearly 90 minutes of caustic entertainment.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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