as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of provocative
Produced by Tomás Cortés of Cine Animal and supported by Panama’s Ministry of Culture, the film weaves animation, archival footage and interviews to trace Guardia’s personal journey, fueled by his childhood memories of provocative Panamanian artist Julio Zachrisson’s odd yet captivating artworks.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Emin’s paintings may initially strike visitors as provocative.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The episode’s depiction of moral compromises was considered too provocative for Indian sensibilities.
—Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
The viral image purporting to show Trump's Truth Social post is fake and contains provocative language that does not reflect the president's stance on dual citizenship.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Emin’s paintings may initially strike visitors as provocative.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The episode’s depiction of moral compromises was considered too provocative for Indian sensibilities.
—Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
The viral image purporting to show Trump's Truth Social post is fake and contains provocative language that does not reflect the president's stance on dual citizenship.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
-
The tools offer exciting new clues to how people living in the area thousands of years ago may have lived and interacted.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Outside of Matthews’ single shot, the most exciting chance the line created was an out-of-character clapper from Marner off the rush that was more of a novelty than a high-danger look.—
Nick Ashbourne,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Venture Colonialism There is arguably no single scholar more well versed, incisive, and thought provoking than Stern in analyzing the evolution of joint-stock corporations in the British Empire.—
Caroline Elkins,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Aug. 2023
-
Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
17 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
Switch to less stimulating activities without screens, like reading or taking a bath.—
Ankur Bindal,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The real challenge moving forward will be the balance between combating inflation and stimulating growth, especially in developed markets.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Gone were the light acoustic drums and Fender Rhodes, in were catchy choruses and edgy melodies, songs rooted in soul yet equally indebted to rap.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
At Stella McCartney’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear runway show during Paris Fashion Week, Macron wore a tiger-print midi dress with a tie-neck detail, paired with edgy thigh-high boots, wholly demonstrating the versatility of her wardrobe.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share