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
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
The author, a professor named Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, proved to have a knack not just for provocative legal essays but for coinages, too.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Included were bottle opener, drink coasters, a provocative poster and cigarette coupons.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The police did not respond to a list of questions from CNN, including which instructions were not followed, which conduct was suspicious and why possessing a camera is seen as provocative.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
So, what does the provocative British artist have to do with all of this?
—Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Included were bottle opener, drink coasters, a provocative poster and cigarette coupons.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The police did not respond to a list of questions from CNN, including which instructions were not followed, which conduct was suspicious and why possessing a camera is seen as provocative.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
So, what does the provocative British artist have to do with all of this?
—Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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