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
One, Pope Francis was kind of intentionally provocative. —
NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026 That clear reference to a certain occupant of the White House and his political movement is by no means McKenzie’s most provocative statement on matters of urgent relevance. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 This is the 11th anniversary of this often provocative and consistently pleasing festival, with films screening from April 24 to May 3 at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, and it is embellished by something new. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Livesey, a professor emerita at the University of Oklahoma, is recognized as a significant Pauline scholar, and her book is closely argued, formidably annotated, and beautifully provocative. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocative
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.
NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026 That clear reference to a certain occupant of the White House and his political movement is by no means McKenzie’s most provocative statement on matters of urgent relevance. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 This is the 11th anniversary of this often provocative and consistently pleasing festival, with films screening from April 24 to May 3 at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, and it is embellished by something new. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Livesey, a professor emerita at the University of Oklahoma, is recognized as a significant Pauline scholar, and her book is closely argued, formidably annotated, and beautifully provocative. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocative
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/provocative. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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 Association
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