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

• charged
• edgy
• exciting
• inciting
• instigating
• instigative
• piquing
• provoking
• stimulating

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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