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
In the novel, an astrophysicist, as an act of revenge for her father’s murder by Red Guards, chooses to put Earth at risk by sending out a provocative interstellar message to hostile aliens.
—
H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024
In a provocative display of military prowess, North Korea declared on Friday that its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test positions the nation at the forefront of global military power.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
The powerful, provocative eau de parfum makes a bold statement yet evokes an unexpected sense of calm.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
The brand of politics that Musk and Carlson practice is swaggering and provocative and, as a result, entirely devoid of shame.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative 
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H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024
In a provocative display of military prowess, North Korea declared on Friday that its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test positions the nation at the forefront of global military power.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
The powerful, provocative eau de parfum makes a bold statement yet evokes an unexpected sense of calm.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
The brand of politics that Musk and Carlson practice is swaggering and provocative and, as a result, entirely devoid of shame.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
Articles Related to provocative
Dictionary Entries Near provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 22 Nov. 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—The Journal of the American Medical Association
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