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
The British artist, long a critical darling for her hyper-expressive musical style — a blend of R&B and electronic and avant-garde pop — and provocative fashion and dance moves, had just released her first album in five years, Eusexua.
—
Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The track opens with a provocative guitar riff, setting the stage for a fierce jungle hunt rather than a dull cat-and-mouse game.
—Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
From jokes about his resemblance to former NBA star Delonté West to comments about the cover hurting the album’s streams, Thug’s provocative art, for the first time, landed flat.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the former CEO, now board member, made what must seem like highly provocative comments about his transfer to Newcastle.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The track opens with a provocative guitar riff, setting the stage for a fierce jungle hunt rather than a dull cat-and-mouse game.
—Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
From jokes about his resemblance to former NBA star Delonté West to comments about the cover hurting the album’s streams, Thug’s provocative art, for the first time, landed flat.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the former CEO, now board member, made what must seem like highly provocative comments about his transfer to Newcastle.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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Their stories capture the creativity, resilience, and ambition that are making Arizona one of the most exciting places for innovation and entrepreneurship in 2025.—
Wyles Daniel,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Stories can be prepared, but since most decisions ultimately fall to the roll of the dice, there’s an exciting spontaneity for the millions of people watching at home.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 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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Rather, it is thought-provoking, honest and utterly necessary.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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His biggest critique is not having enough time to answer all the thought-provoking questions that came at the end.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The video shows Combs playing with his children, mourning Kim Porter and giving motivational speeches at fundraisers in New York.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
3 Oct. 2025
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Skey spoke with Bershan Shaw, a breast cancer survivor, motivational speaker and podcast host, who was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer at age 33, then with Stage IV two years later.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Of course—even if students read less, and do less of their own writing, and skip class more often, and are graded on elevator pitches given to computers—college could remain a stimulating and fun experience.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
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In it, Sunset has picked 10 tasting rooms (or appellations with good tasting options), from classic vineyards to producers of zero-proof beverages, that should delight everyone with their delectable offerings, innovative techniques and visually stimulating atmospheres.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One detail found in various shoes was a metal ring that lent an edgy element to various silhouettes, from the aforementioned sandal to a heeled sandal, which embodied dainty minimalism with an asymmetrical strap.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
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At night, try layering an edgy leather bomber jacket over a romantic slip dress—the contrasting silhouettes work surprisingly well together.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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