provocative

adjective

prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv How to pronounce provocative (audio)
Definition of provocativenext
as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Sydney Sweeney sparked widespread backlash following the release of her provocative campaign for a sports trading app. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 At a time when even intentionally provocative genre films can’t keep up with the pace of futurism, Minhaj and Venkataramanujam also use their topical chops to make this bubbly effort particularly of the moment. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026 His provocative celebrity coverage throughout the 2000s and 2010s also generated years of controversy and several lawsuits. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026 Bob Mackie, the fashion designer whose visually provocative Hollywood style defined glamour for the 1970s -- including putting Carol Burnett in some of her kookiest getups and Cher in her raciest ones -- died Monday. — Mark Kennedy The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
  1. exciting
  2. charged
  3. provoking
  4. motivational
  5. stimulating
  6. edgy
Adjective
  • Reminiscent in some ways of Sidney Lumet’s landmark first feature, 12 Angry Men, McCarthy finds an exciting way to shoot this tight room without ever being rote.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Nothing terribly exciting is happening inside this three-bedroom, but there’s lots of light and a respectable amount of space, and the beach is just a few minutes away.
    — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of exciting
Adjective
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.
    — Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of charged
Adjective
  • Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The proper pose is a strict neutrality — neither agreeing nor provoking — simply seeking the first opportunity to disengage.
    — Judith Martin, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of provoking
Adjective
  • According to her TikTok profile, Velasquez is a motivational speaker and author with more than 940,000 followers on the platform.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Swayze, who McDonnell had worked with once before, played motivational speaker Jim Cunningham, who was revealed to be in possession of child pornography in the movie.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of motivational
Adjective
  • Those who understand quickly move forward, while those who need more time, a different explanation or a less stimulating environment can easily fall behind.
    — Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Adjective
  • With his stand-up, Rock avoided being fake edgy; his analogy for how to get there is a pharmaceutical company making a cancer drug.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Hilton’s edgy attitude and pugnacious put-downs would place him right at home among the network’s collection of trolls, provocateurs and Democrat-bashing gargoyles.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of edgy

Browse Nearby Words

provocations
provocative
provocatively
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Cite this Entry

“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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