MEANING
1. Intended or likely to provoke a strong response, challenge assumptions, or stir controversy.
2. Suggestive of sexual desire or intended to arouse, especially of clothing, images, or behavior.
Use it for
Use for something that deliberately stirs thought, debate, or desire.Use dialogue or an idea to unsettle a settled consensus.
Words that belong together
- provocative question
- provocative remark
- provocative idea
- provocative clothing
- provocative image
- provocative pose
On the page
Her provocative question exposed the contradiction no one wanted to discuss.
The advertisement relied on provocative imagery rather than explaining the product.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- provocative
Explore related collections
Usage notes
Can describe ideas that prompt thought or remarks that deliberately anger; a separate sense means sexually suggestive or arousing. Sense 2: This sense is context-dependent and should not be confused with the broader meaning of thought-provoking.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.