provocative

adjective

pro·​voc·​a·​tive prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv How to pronounce provocative (audio)
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
a provocative question
provocative noun
provocatively adverb
provocativeness noun

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 She’s been the subject of numerous films — some empathetic (My Week With Marilyn); some wretchedly provocative (Blonde) — that treat her as a victim. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 Almost three decades before, Spike Lee’s similarly provocative Do the Right Thing articulated its own unsafe idea (riotous anger is warranted) so effectively that people feared the movie would incite violence. Kishori Rajan, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 His pen and his brushes, which in his three-decade career have made more than 5,600 drawings, are responsible for some of the most provocative and critical images of Donald Trump. Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Here's a look at Velez's illustrious, evocative and sometimes provocative career — what the young designer and her mom have sacrificed for it, including Velez's childhood home, and the LVMH Prize. Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Hernandez, now based in San Francisco, is just one of the contemporary craftspeople using papier-mâché in new and provocative ways. Alexa Brazilian, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Curated by Lauren Hinkson and Joan Young, this exhibition invites you to explore the colorful, ironic, and often provocative world of Pop Art, a movement that dramatically reshaped the landscape of contemporary art in the post–World War II era. Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The only quibble would involve some creative liberties taken with the book near the end (the author’s daughter, Michael Clavell, is among the producers), which are provocative but not necessarily an improvement. Brian Lowry, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Trump sparks widespread backlash with NATO attack Hours before Trump took the stage in North Charleston, former President Barack Obama seconded Biden in saying Trump's attitude is reckless and provocative. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of provocative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near provocative

Cite this Entry

“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

provocative

adjective
pro·​voc·​a·​tive prə-ˈväk-ət-iv How to pronounce provocative (audio)
: serving or tending to provoke
provocative comments
provocatively adverb
provocativeness noun

Medical Definition

provocative

adjective
pro·​voc·​a·​tive prə-ˈväk-ət-iv How to pronounce provocative (audio)
: serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate
provocative test for coronary spasmJournal of the American Medical Association

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