Meaning & use
provocative
Last updated
Intended or likely to provoke a strong reaction, such as anger, interest, or debate.
See it in a sentence
The columnist is known for writing provocative opinion pieces that spark debate.
Her provocative question forced the panel to confront an uncomfortable topic.
A note on using this word
Can describe anything from a challenging idea to behavior meant to draw attention, so context determines the exact tone.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
blandunremarkable
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