Meaning of provocative in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/prəˈvɑkədɪv/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Classifying Adjective
provocativeDefinitions
1. exciting sexual desireExamples
- « her gestures and postures became more wanton and provocative »
Synonyms
Qualitative Adjective
provocativeEtymology
late Middle English: from Old French provocatif, -ive, from late Latin provocativus, from provocat-‘called forth, challenged’, from the verb provocare (see provoke)Definitions
1. serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulateExamples
- « stimulating discussion or exciting controversy »
- « a provocative remark »
- « a provocative smile »
- « provocative Irish tunes which...compel the hearers to dance- Anthony Trollope »
Synonyms
- agitative
- agitating
- provoking
- challenging
- intriguing
- charged
- incendiary
- incitive
- inflammatory
- instigative
- rabble-rousing
- seditious
- rousing
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « I'm in awe of the universe, but I don't necessarily believe there's an intelligence or agent behind it. I do have a passion for the visual in religious rituals, though, even though they may be completely empty and bereft of substance. The incense is powerful and provocative, whether Buddhist or Catholic. » David Bowie
- « Written poetry is different. Best thing is to see it in performance first, then read it. Performance is more provocative. » Adrian Mitchell
- « It has been very erotic and provocative for people to wonder about my feelings for women. » Catherine Deneuve
- « So there's nothing more provocative than taking a genre that everybody who's cool hates - and then making it cool. » Lady Gaga
- « Well, you got to remember, bin Laden killed 3,000 Americans and, in some ways, he and his ideology killed tens of thousands of his fellow Muslims, including Pakistanis. I understand that that was provocative and complicated for Pakistan, but only if you accept the idea that he was an acceptable member of Pakistani society. » Sebastian Junger