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

Derived Forms

• proˈvocatively, adverb
• proˈvocativeness, noun

Other Words From

• pro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• pro·voca·tive·ness noun
• half-pro·voca·tive adjective
• nonpro·voca·tive adjective
• nonpro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• nonpro·voca·tive·ness noun
• quasi-pro·voca·tive adjective
• quasi-pro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• unpro·voca·tive adjective
• unpro·voca·tive·ly adverb
• unpro·voca·tive·ness 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

The New York Times published a report Sunday morning based on interviews with 21 men who alleged that Weaver sent them unwanted provocative messages or solicited them for sex, often in exchange for the promise of professional help.

From Washington Post

Gonzalez is already one of the most provocative and unguarded lawmakers in California politics, so it’s hard to even picture what a less filtered, more aggressive posture might look like for her.

From Voice of San Diego

It seems particularly provocative for Google to do something like this while it is also dealing with a DOJ antitrust investigation.

From Ars Technica

Her new novel, “Outlawed,” stirs up the western with a provocative blend of alt-history and feminist consciousness.

From Washington Post

That may sound un-Darwinian — and many biologists do consider it provocative.

From Quanta Magazine

This is a provocative subject that is ready-made for the classroom.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, the question, though provocative and culturally important, may not even be new.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, it was superficially crass and, in turn, barely provocative.

From The Daily Beast

Lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg was as provocative as Hammerstein, though with a much less earnest, more whimsical sensibility.

From The Daily Beast

We saw how such provocative actions only inflamed passions and escalated the unrest.

From The Daily Beast

White with passion, Gray was on the point of uttering other angry and provocative words when Seton took his arm in a firm grip.

From Project Gutenberg

And she had good reason to believe that no woman had ever been more charming, distracting, provocative.

From Project Gutenberg

Fancy coming to the country for a rest, and reading Chamberlain, most restless because most provocative of books!

From Project Gutenberg

But that disposition presently evaporated, and his talk was good and fresh and provocative.

From Project Gutenberg

I was treated to an open letter, signed "Junius Secundus," and I replied in provocative terms.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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