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unprovocative

unprovocative

6.3
Not likely to cause strong feelings or attract attention
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnprəˈvɑːkətɪv/
translation icon : no provocador
  • He prefers films with unprovocative themes that do not stir up controversy.

Examples

  • Her outfit was deliberately unprovocative to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.

  • The speech was so unprovocative that hardly anyone reacted to it.

  • This topic is unprovocative.

  • Don't you find it unprovocative?

  • The speaker's unprovocative remarks were well received by the audience, avoiding any heated debate.

  • She delivered an unprovocative presentation that focused on facts rather than opinions.

  • His unprovocative stance during the discussion allowed everyone to express their views peacefully.

Synonyms

uncontroversial
vsunprovocative
6 4.4

Easy for people to accept because few people disagree

is broader, also unlikely to arouse strong interest or excitement
noncontroversial
vsunprovocative
1 4.8

Unlikely to cause disagreement

is similar but places more weight on avoiding interest and excitement
undramatic
vsunprovocative
1 4.2

Having no strong emotion and not exciting

is broader, covering controversy and interest as well as dramatic tone
unsensational
vsunprovocative
1 6.0

Calm and not meant to excite or shock people

is similar but additionally stresses being unlikely to cause controversy
unprovoking
vsunprovocative
6.6

Not likely to cause a strong reaction

is equally low in causing reaction but also avoids arousing interest or controversy
nonoffensive
vsunprovocative
3.8

Does not upset people and avoids rude or hurtful words

is broader, avoiding strong interest, excitement, or public debate rather than only offense

Antonyms

112 6.7

Causes a strong reaction, for example anger or lively talk

1 3.9

To make someone feel more awake and interested

How Provocative

inflammatory
  • Literature
41 7.4
provocative
112 6.7
unprovocative
6.3
bland
31 2.8

Surface Forms

unprovocative positive

Morphology

unprovocative = provocative (transparent) = un + provocative

Meaning is directly derived by negating the adjective 'provocative' with the productive prefix 'un-'.

Etymology

Unprovocative starts with un- meaning 'not' and the rest comes from provoke, a word that means 'to call out' or 'stir up'. So something unprovocative is 'not' trying to stir people or cause a strong reaction.