View synonyms for provocative

provocative

[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

provocative

/ prəˈvɒkətɪv /

acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking
a provocative remark
a provocative look

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

This is a provocative subject that is ready-made for the classroom.

In fact, the question, though provocative and culturally important, may not even be new.

Instead, it was superficially crass and, in turn, barely provocative.

Lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg was as provocative as Hammerstein, though with a much less earnest, more whimsical sensibility.

We saw how such provocative actions only inflamed passions and escalated the unrest.

White with passion, Gray was on the point of uttering other angry and provocative words when Seton took his arm in a firm grip.

And she had good reason to believe that no woman had ever been more charming, distracting, provocative.

Fancy coming to the country for a rest, and reading Chamberlain, most restless because most provocative of books!

But that disposition presently evaporated, and his talk was good and fresh and provocative.

I was treated to an open letter, signed "Junius Secundus," and I replied in provocative terms.

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