provocative

[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.

noun

1. something provocative.

provocative

/ prəˈvɒkətɪv /

adjective

1. acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking

   a provocative remark

   a provocative look

Derived Forms

• proˈvocatively, adverb
• proˈvocativeness, noun

Other Words From

• pro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• pro·voca·tive·ness noun
• half-pro·voca·tive adjective
• nonpro·voca·tive adjective
• nonpro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• nonpro·voca·tive·ness noun
• quasi-pro·voca·tive adjective
• quasi-pro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• unpro·voca·tive adjective
• unpro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• unpro·voca·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of provocative¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus. See provocation, -ive

Example Sentences

On the show, she’s brought frank, provocative discussions about race and privilege to the often shallow waters of reality TV.

From Los Angeles Times

A New York priest who let popstar Sabrina Carpenter film provocative scenes for a music video inside his church has been accused of mismanagement and stripped of his duties.

From BBC

I’m hard-pressed to think of a single novel, provocative, brash, daring, or entertaining thing that Harris said during the last seven weeks of the campaign.

From Salon

They found him intellectually engaging, admired his provocative curiosity and became his friends.

From Salon

Yet a pair of recent studies about comb jellies raise provocative questions about Descartes’ maxim.

From Salon

Related Words

• challenging
• disturbing
• exciting
• inspirational
• insulting
• offensive
• outrageous