as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
But Bugonia’s provocative premise doesn’t yield a sci-fi thriller.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
The clown has a provocative past.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Hailey Bieber embraced provocative styling in a Saint Laurent strapless leather dress for the WSJ.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
That’s a provocative statement.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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This season already has plenty of exciting acting talents to spot on the red carpets—including frontrunners such as Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, and Rose Byrne.—
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Craft service had Cinnabons — that was exciting.—
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Adjective
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The characterizations are complex and thought-provoking, and the descriptions of the natural world put the reader right there.—
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The 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.—
Adjective
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To this day, Mo'Nique continues to share motivational videos of herself hitting the gym, staying disciplined and committing to her health journey.—
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This week, Tyler, the Creator recapped his glorious year in a triumphant freestyle, Sabrina Carpenter gifted her fans a Man’s Best Friend bonus track as an early Christmas present, and Doechii teamed up with SZA for a subdued yet motivational anthem.—
Adjective
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The right shade can make a kitchen feel brighter, cozier, and more stimulating.—
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Shades of this color are refreshing and stimulating, reminding us of the outdoors.—
Adjective
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The problem is amplified both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative to rivals with more safeguards, and because Grok’s images are publicly visible, and can therefore be easily spread.—
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Her new book American Spirits turns to the world of music, and promises to be as funny and edgy as her previous work.—
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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