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

“Politely add other provocative topics you’d prefer to avoid – like your weight, diet, parenting, infertility or finances,” Kavanagh said, suggesting everyone bring a game, funny holiday story or your favorite song to share instead.

Read more on Salon

Then you’re served more such clips, quite likely more extreme or provocative.

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Shining lasers into a pilot's eyes is provocative, and to use the Defence Secretary John Healey's words, "deeply dangerous".

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It was seen by the Nazi authorities as provocative defiance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 22-year-old is known for filming provocative videos involving pranks, with titles like "I got kicked off a cruise" and "I crashed into a cop car".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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