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View synonyms for

provocative

[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]

adjective

  1. tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.


noun

  1. something provocative.

provocative

/ əˈɒəɪ /

adjective

  1. acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking

    a provocative remark

    a provocative look

“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈdzپ, adverb
  • ˈdzپԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·dza·پ· adverb
  • ·dza·پ·Ա noun
  • 󲹱-·dza·پ adjective
  • ԴDzp·dza·پ adjective
  • non·dza·پ· adverb
  • non·dza·پ·Ա noun
  • ܲȴ-·dza·پ adjective
  • quasi-·dza·پ· adverb
  • ܲp·dza·پ adjective
  • un·dza·پ· adverb
  • un·dza·پ·Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of provocative1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word ōdzīܲ. See provocation, -ive
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

From

He began delivering commissioned projects for luxury brands and celebrities 20 years ago, and a financial pinnacle came in 2008 when his provocative life-size figure “My Lonesome Cowboy” sold for $15.1 million at auction.

From

Donald Trump is a gifted communicator in terms of speaking in an emotionally provocative way and using themes and narrative frames that the general public can understand.

From

Still, he put a lot of money into the campaign and launched some provocative tactics, such as offering million-dollar lotteries for people to sign petitions and register to vote.

From

I encountered Navarro in 2012, when he made a minor splash on the documentary film circuit with “Death by China,” a provocative if overwrought manifesto based on his book of the same title.

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provocationprovoke