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 The former leader remains jailed while appealing a life sentence for rebellion and a 30-year term over provocative drone flights, a saga that has tested South Korea’s democratic institutions. — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Stone finally returned with his most provocative and experimental album, 1971’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 July 2026 Elon Musk’s commemoration was characteristically digital and provocative. — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 In Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda cast people of color as Founders as a provocative gesture toward inclusion. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 3 July 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
  • Moore describes her apprenticeship as both exciting and exhausting.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Mercury will also make a conjunction with lucky Jupiter, which can bring an exciting proposal, declaration or significant agreement your way.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 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
  • The Best Books of the Year (So Far) Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
  • Chiarella has come up with an ingenious premise that is as twisted as it is thought-provoking.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • While his exhortation left off Brady’s signature profane intensifier, the motivational gambit remained explicit even in the absence of the familiar F-bomb.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
  • Accommodations, though vital for genuine disabilities, are sometimes misapplied to motivational or organizational problems.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of motivational
Adjective
  • Looking at screens up close for long periods is also very stimulating, which may leave us exhausted.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
  • Tang and co-founder Joe Hollier noted the OS is designed to be less stimulating, from its monochrome appearance to the launcher that simply displays a list of tools rather than expressive app icons.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 July 2026
Definition of stimulating
Adjective
  • Saldaña paired her edgy minidress with summery glam at the red carpet event.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • After all, Locarno also features quirky, edgy and offbeat movies just waiting to unspool.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
Definition of edgy

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provocative
provocatively
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Cite this Entry

“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on provocative

Nglish: Translation of provocative for Spanish Speakers

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