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 look

   a provocative remark

Other Word Forms

• provocatively adverb
• provocativeness noun
• half-provocative adjective
• nonprovocative adjective
• nonprovocatively adverb
• nonprovocativeness noun
• quasi-provocative adjective
• quasi-provocatively adverb
• unprovocative adjective
• unprovocatively adverb
• unprovocativeness 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

Others have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high over the issue of immigration.

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Convicting him, District Judge John McGarva said Coskun's conduct had been "provocative and taunting" and told him "you have a deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers".

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Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan of violating Kabul's "sovereign territory", describing it as an "unprecedented, violent, and provocative act".

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The movie rarely stops to survey the field, and instead keeps plowing forward with Byrne behind the wheel, delivering a raw, emotionally complex performance that’s more honest than intentionally provocative.

Read more on Salon

That is certainly true of the banished song with the provocative title.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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