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thought-provoking

thought-provoking

28 5.1
Making you think deeply about something
  • adjective
  • /ˈθɔtˌproʊvəkɪŋ/
translation icon : que invita a la reflexión
  • I never felt like I was wasting my time; each assignment was thought-provoking in a different way.
  • thought-provoking questions
  • thought-provoking discussion
  • thought-provoking essay

And hopefully it'll be stimulating and thought provoking for you.

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Examples

  • The various essays are thought-provoking not only to professionals, but also to parents and students.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The professor's lecture was thought-provoking and encouraged students to engage in deep discussions.

  • I want to make thought-provoking entertainment.

  • Are there any aspects of the event that are especially thought-provoking to you?

    Academic text (1994)
  • I want to thank the speakers for the thought provoking evening.

  • You may be surprised by the new information you learn and by the subsequent thought-provoking questions!

    Academic text (2014)
  • The Chicago lawyer expected the movie to be thought-provoking; he didn't expect that it would change his practice.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Well, let me thank Meredith for a really thought provoking presentation.

  • The document also includes thought-provoking questions and reflections for additional study at the end of each section.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Thank you so much for your thought provoking and inspiring remarks, Courtney.

Synonyms

challenging
vsthought-provoking
24 4.2

Making you think deeply and question your ideas

encourages careful deep reflection rather than active questioning or change

Antonyms

7 3.5

Not interesting or exciting

How Thought-Provoking

mind-blowing
  • Informal
28 5.1
thought-provoking
28 5.1
stimulating
1 3.9
intriguing
7 2.7
interesting
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

thought-provoking = thought + provoking (transparent) = thought + provoke + ing

The adjective is formed by compounding 'thought' and 'provoking' (provoke+ing) and the meaning 'causing thought' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Thought-provoking combines thought and provoking; provoking once had the idea of 'stirring up' or 'calling out', so a thought-provoking text is like stirring a pot of ideas—it 'stirs up' your thoughts and makes you think deeply.