as in exciting
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a provocative editorial that sparked a heated discussion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocative
Alternately disturbing and brutally funny, and ending with the sort of capper that perfectly encapsulates its provocative ethos, this marks an auspicious directorial debut for Oscar Boyson.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Around the same time, the front covers of When Saturday Comes — complete with photograph, headline and a provocative speech bubble — started to rival those of Private Eye, the satirical magazine that, for generations, had poked fun at royals, politicians and celebrities.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 June 2025
The panel covered a wide gamut, yielding some provocative takes.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Around the same time, the front covers of When Saturday Comes — complete with photograph, headline and a provocative speech bubble — started to rival those of Private Eye, the satirical magazine that, for generations, had poked fun at royals, politicians and celebrities.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 June 2025
The panel covered a wide gamut, yielding some provocative takes.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocative
Adjective
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From Canada to Milan, it’s been a journey filled with creativity, intensity, and some of the most exciting food this show has ever seen.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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Cuban composer Tania León added dollops of exciting modernism.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
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The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
Adjective
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Venture Colonialism There is arguably no single scholar more well versed, incisive, and thought provoking than Stern in analyzing the evolution of joint-stock corporations in the British Empire.—
Caroline Elkins,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Aug. 2023
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Her work is technically amazing, thought provoking and has tons of heart.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
17 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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The Anatomy of the Horses takes the viewer on a visually and intellectually stimulating journey through the space-time continuum, during which director Daniel Vidal Toche reflects upon whether the struggle against oppression and exploitation in Peru will ever come to an end.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
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Join The Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library on Wednesday, June 18 on for a stimulating tactical discussion about Juneteenth.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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American Ultra Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in this dynamic thrill ride that mixes explosive action with edgy humor.—
Lesley O'Toole,
Variety,
10 June 2025
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Neon is trying something new for the edgy brand with The Life Of Chuck.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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