provocative

[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]
See synonyms for provocative on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.

noun
  1. something provocative.

Origin of provocative

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus.See provocation, -ive

Other words from provocative

  • pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
  • pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun
  • half-pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
  • non·pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
  • non·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
  • non·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun
  • qua·si-pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
  • qua·si-pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
  • un·pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
  • un·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
  • un·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for provocative

provocative

/ (prəˈvɒkətɪv) /


adjective
  1. acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking: a provocative look; a provocative remark

Derived forms of provocative

  • provocatively, adverb
  • provocativeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012