as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
The fourth volume and the final word on the provocative speculative fiction series Southern Reach.
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The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Virginia Carter, the feminist activist who was hired by Norman Lear to advise him on social issues and marginalized groups, providing insight the famed TV producer would use for plotlines and characterizations in his provocative shows, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024
The provocative Grisham-like legal thriller serves filmgoers with convincing evidence not just that justice is an ambiguous system but that the 94-year-old Oscar-winner can still crank out a smart, entertaining thought-provoker.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
But Tarantino views these provocative choices as strengths.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative 
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Virginia Carter, the feminist activist who was hired by Norman Lear to advise him on social issues and marginalized groups, providing insight the famed TV producer would use for plotlines and characterizations in his provocative shows, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024
The provocative Grisham-like legal thriller serves filmgoers with convincing evidence not just that justice is an ambiguous system but that the 94-year-old Oscar-winner can still crank out a smart, entertaining thought-provoker.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
But Tarantino views these provocative choices as strengths.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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Luke Hales / Getty Images The 2024 baseball season may have just ended, but the most exciting drama in the sport is on deck: free agency.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
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A little laundry drama is almost exciting again after seeing so much of it with Bri on Mediterranean!Emma Soren, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Of course, genocide is a charged and redolent term, recalling the systematic precision of the Holocaust and the society-wide butchery of the Rwandan genocide.Kristina Hook, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2022
Adjective
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Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024
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His creative licensing with my performance, always thought provoking and precise with his 'on point' direction for my performance as Regan.Clark Collis, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2023
Adjective
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However, The Night of the Hunter is compelling, visually stimulating, and downright thrilling.B.J. Colangelo, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024
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The surface array the company built also has 12 stimulating electrodes composed of 8,400 graphene micro-islands that can deliver focused stimulation, but in this initial human study, the stimulation won’t be turned on.Emily Mullin, WIRED, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Their personas seem derived from the unruly and edgy rockstars of the past.Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
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Bottoms is a must-watch for fans looking for a more modern and edgy alternative to Mean Girls.Jane LaCroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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