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provocative

[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]
/ prəˈvɒk ə tɪv /
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adjective
tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.
noun
something provocative.
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Origin of provocative

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

OTHER WORDS FROM provocative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use provocative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for provocative

provocative
/ (prəˈvɒkətɪv) /

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

Derived forms of provocative

provocatively, adverbprovocativeness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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