provocative
112
6.7
- adjective
- /prəˈvɑːkətɪv/
:
provocador
- His provocative comments during the debate caused quite an uproar among the attendees.
- a provocative statement
- deliberately provocative
- a provocative question
His answers are as provocative as his research.
- His answers are as provocative as his research.
- So that's a provocative statement that starts with I bet, right?
- This notion of free will, for want of a less provocative word, is nothing but a myth.
- Words, even provocative and repugnant ones, are not violence.
- No Sir, that sounds to me like a pretty provocative posting.
- OK, Now I'm going to say one more thing about these provocative pitches.
- I think he's provocative and and of course I wish him well.
- It was so provocative and in your face and women needed it at the time.
- He's beyond the policy and what he's saying is is provocative, right?
Examples
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Any thoughts on what these provocative stories might be about?
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The conference papers, which were at once interdisciplinary and provocative, sought to provide new perspectives on these connections.
Academic text (1992) -
And I think you can only change culture by being provocative, whether you mean to or not.
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Thank you very much, Tim, for that provocative and effective talk.
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His answers are as provocative as his research.
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So thank you to both of you for this intelligent and provocative movie for men and women.
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Yes, it is provocative, but it is also inspiring.
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In addition, some texts are more profound or provocative than others.
Academic text (2015) -
And now he makes a very intriguing, very provocative claim.
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The language on the protesters' placards was angry and provocative, even if the protesters themselves were not.
Fiction book (2001)
Synonyms
423
5.0
Likely to cause strong public disagreement
261
4.0
Likely to make people angry or upset
62
7.4
Causing people to disagree or argue
41
7.4
Tending to make people angry or cause strong reactions
14
4.6
Making people feel uneasy or want to argue
13
7.9
Likely to make people angry and cause public protest
1
4.8
Causing annoyance or anger in someone
1
3.9
To make someone feel more awake and interested
Likely to cause strong feelings that make people act or protest
Likely to make people protest or cause unrest
Antonyms
How Provocative
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Provocative comes from the same root as provoke, from pro- 'forth' and vocare 'to call', so it means 'to bring out' a strong reaction. That's why a remark or work of art can be provocative by making people angry, excited, or thoughtful.