provocative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There’s a difference between making something provocative and outright, intentional provocation.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Franz Rosenzweig started his most provocative work of philosophy in the trenches of World War I.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The rule states that there should be no behaviour that is "improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or provocative".

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Jeremy Grantham has a new and provocative argument for why the U.S. stock market will produce mediocre returns this year.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

This banner and two similar ones were particularly provocative because the country was at war with Germany.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling