thought-provoking

[ thawt-pruh-voh-king ]

adjective

1. causing one to ponder or reflect, as by raising questions or issues, introducing new ideas, etc.:

   The theater company has gained a reputation for high-quality performances that are both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Other Words From

• thought-pro·vok·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thought-provoking¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

“They have really interesting analysis on where people are flying ... It’s a really interesting paper — thought-provoking.”

From Los Angeles Times

But his thought-provoking canvases continued to make waves around the world.

From BBC

The words of the first black man to play for the senior England team - Viv Anderson - have a steely, serious and thought-provoking undertone.

From BBC

Despite its aggressive appearance, the “Grotesquerie” strain of cultural critique may be, if not nuanced, at least thought-provoking instead of merely provocative.

From Salon

The Bird Photographer of the Year award has been announced, with Canadian photographer Patricia Homonylo scooping the top prize for her thought-provoking image titled When Worlds Collide.

From BBC

Related Words

• absorbing
• captivating
• exciting
• fascinating
• gripping
• inspirational
• interesting
• intriguing
• provocative
• riveting