Word
provocative
Phoneticsprovoca·tive
US/pɹoʊˈvɑkətɪv/
UK/pɹəvˈɒkətˌɪv/
Definitions
01causing thought or anger
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. intended to make people think seriously or to make them angry and start an argument.
adj. serving or tending to elicit a strong, often confrontational or intellectual response; deliberately challenging conventional ideas.
“The professor gave a provocative speech that made the students question their own beliefs.”
“The author's provocative essay on economic reform sparked a heated debate among policymakers and social critics alike.”
Usage
Often used to describe art, journalism, or public statements.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02sexually exciting
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. intended to make someone feel sexual desire.
adj. serving or tending to excite or arouse sexual interest through appearance or behaviour.
“She wore a provocative dress to the party that drew everyone's attention.”
“The marketing campaign was criticised for using provocative imagery that had little to do with the actual product being sold.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The far-right politician has performed such provocative antics several times.” “After a historic 2018 summit in Singapore with Kim, he called the military drills “ expensive” and “provocative “.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French provocatif, and its source, Late Latin provocativus, from Latin provocare.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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