provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv 
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
a provocative question
provocative
noun
provocatively
adverb
provocativeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of provocative in a Sentence
a thoughtful and provocative book
It was one of his more provocative suggestions.
She was wearing a very provocative outfit.
Recent Examples on the Web
This visually stunning program about indigenous Americans is a provocative testament to a land and a people who have survived removal, exploitation and genocide – and whose best days are yet to come.
—
Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
Less than two weeks after O.J. Simpson died from cancer, a provocative new teaser for a long-gestating movie about the controversial football star and acquitted murder suspect condemns him to the electric chair on screen.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative 
Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
Less than two weeks after O.J. Simpson died from cancer, a provocative new teaser for a long-gestating movie about the controversial football star and acquitted murder suspect condemns him to the electric chair on screen.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈväk-ət-iv
: serving or tending to provoke
provocative comments
provocatively
adverb
provocativeness
noun
Medical Definition
provocative
adjective
pro·voc·a·tive
prə-ˈväk-ət-iv
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
provocative test for coronary spasm—Journal of the American Medical Association
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