thought-provoking
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thought-provoking
First recorded in 1790–1800
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.
A24 has positioned itself as the film industry’s rebel, funding new and emerging talents producing thought-provoking ideas.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
This can be thought-provoking or entertaining, and often holds power to account in the same way mainstream journalists do.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026
They can be funny, sad, heartwarming, reflective, thought-provoking or surprising.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2026
Where “Warhead” does look ahead, it is by turns thought-provoking and terrifying.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025
You’ve used your irreverent, hectoring funny and thought-provoking voice to create a space for real conversations about an important subject.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
