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
But Bugonia’s provocative premise doesn’t yield a sci-fi thriller.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
The clown has a provocative past.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Hailey Bieber embraced provocative styling in a Saint Laurent strapless leather dress for the WSJ.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Elliot Tuttle is a singular talent — fearless, provocative and deeply human in his filmmaking.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
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Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
The clown has a provocative past.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Hailey Bieber embraced provocative styling in a Saint Laurent strapless leather dress for the WSJ.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Elliot Tuttle is a singular talent — fearless, provocative and deeply human in his filmmaking.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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