provocative
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of provocative
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus. See provocation, -ive
Explanation
If something is provocative, it provokes a reaction. A provocative book might get people talking about a controversial idea. A provocative statement, such as "I hate babies," will get another kind of reaction. The action, thought, or feeling is often a desired one, called forth on purpose. In fact, provocative is often used to describe actions or ways of dressing that cause sexual feelings. But provocative things can also call forth something unwanted: "She was angered by the provocative remarks." This adjective was borrowed from French provocatif, from Late Latin provocativus "calling forth," from Latin provocare "to call forth, challenge."
Vocabulary lists containing provocative
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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100 Top "SAT" Words
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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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.
Paul Kedrosky was interviewed Friday on the financial podcast the Meb Faber Show, and he offered some troubling observations and provocative predictions about the development of AI technologies.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Billionaire Trump has used American media to his advantage over the years as a provocative real estate developer in New York.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Bart DeLorenzo, L.A.’s most playfully provocative theater auteur, doesn’t need any excuses to direct a Henrik Ibsen play.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
When I ask about killing their fellow countrymen on the battlefield, Sergei calls the question "provocative" and does not want to answer.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
For all the tantalizing and provocative character of the Viking results, I know a hundred places on Mars which are far more interesting than our landing sites.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
