provocative
tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.
something provocative.
Origin of provocative
1Other words from provocative
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use provocative in a sentence
You still have to go through Apple’s default process … they have made it so clear that it’s almost provocative.
‘Stricter than the ad tech industry expected’: Apple clarifies its upcoming privacy changes will leave little wriggle room | Lara O'Reilly | October 20, 2020 | DigidayIn 2019, two multimedia artists, Francesca Panetta and Halsey Burgund, set about to pursue a provocative idea.
Inside the strange new world of being a deepfake actor | Karen Hao | October 9, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewThese countries are giving it back with their own provocative — even incendiary — comments.
Why Russia, China and Iran Love Twitter — Without Really Being on It | Pallabi Munsi | October 7, 2020 | OzyThis is just one of many trailblazing moments in her remarkable career the beloved icon shares throughout her episode of TV One’s provocative bio series, Uncensored.
You call these bugs laboratories, which is provocative when we consider they have six legs each and often convene by the hundreds of thousands.
Why We Should Eat Crickets. And Other Bug Ideas - Facts So Romantic | Mary Ellen Hannibal | October 2, 2020 | Nautilus
Barrymore celebrates by proclaiming herself “Lolita” dancing provocatively on his desk, and then flashing him.
In Honor of David Letterman’s Pending Retirement, Watch His Wildest Interviews (VIDEO) | Kevin Fallon | April 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe looked at him provocatively, as if relishing the chance to do something the rest of the royal family would never do.
Working in The Royal Archives and Dreaming Up a Novel | Tom Sykes | October 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTEven more provocatively, he said the “tendency toward conflict” was rooted in the soul of all Arabs.
Benzion Netanyahu Obituary: A Strong Influence on Bibi | Dan Ephron | April 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTGibson did the same in the previously released tape, in which he condemned Grigorieva for dressing too provocatively.
The Wilbur twin lingered as far behind as he dared, loitering provocatively in the sight of the child stealers.
The Wrong Twin | Harry Leon WilsonHer hair was sleeked down provocatively over her ears, in which emerald drops dangled.
Married Life | May EdgintonHer face was so provocatively beautiful that Ramsey just stood there staring at it—after he had taken in the rest of her.
Equation of Doom | Gerald VanceShe looked cool and completely poised and no less beautiful, if less provocatively dressed, than last night.
Equation of Doom | Gerald VanceIt is impossible to leave this point without quoting Nietzsche, who had this insight and stated it most provocatively.
A Preface to Politics | Walter Lippmann
British Dictionary definitions for provocative
/ (prəˈvɒkətɪv) /
acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking: a provocative look; a provocative remark
Derived forms of provocative
- provocatively, adverb
- provocativeness, 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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