provocative
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- half-provocative adjective
- nonprovocative adjective
- nonprovocatively adverb
- nonprovocativeness noun
- provocatively adverb
- provocativeness noun
- quasi-provocative adjective
- quasi-provocatively adverb
- unprovocative adjective
- unprovocatively adverb
- unprovocativeness noun
Etymology
Origin of provocative
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus. See provocation, -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gen Kainerugaba is known for being unpredictable and provocative, especially on social media.
From BBC
Bindu Shah: I’ve been at the brand for about the last five to six months, so I’m relatively new but definitely wanted to preserve the legacy and ensure we stay provocative and maintain our boldness.
In one provocative essay, Ms. Biss considers the implications of the case of a white woman who in 1999 gave birth to twins, one black and one white.
Still, Beijing recently sent a provocative message when state media showed a wargame simulation in the Western Hemisphere.
"This is a provocative case that raises the possibility that in certain environments, humans were able to keep wolves in their settlements, and found value in doing so."
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
