Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [pruh-vok-uh-tiv]
- /prəˈvɒk ə tɪv/
- /prəˈvɒk.ə.tɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [pruh-vok-uh-tiv]
- /prəˈvɒk ə tɪv/
Definitions of provocative word
- adjective provocative tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing. 1
- noun provocative something provocative. 1
- adjective provocative speech, act: inciting 1
- adjective provocative clothing, looks, person: seductive 1
- adjective provocative If you describe something as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make people react angrily or argue against it. 0
- adjective provocative If you describe someone's clothing or behaviour as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make someone feel sexual desire. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of provocative
First appearance:
before 1375 One of the 22% oldest English words
First recorded in 1375-1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus. See provocation, -ive
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Provocative
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
provocative popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 74% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
provocative usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for provocative
adj provocative
- adrenalizing — to stir to action; excite: The promise of victory adrenalized the team.
- agitative — tending to stir or agitate
- amoral — If you describe someone as amoral, you do not like the way they behave because they do not seem to care whether what they do is right or wrong.
- anarchic — If you describe someone or something as anarchic, you disapprove of them because they do not recognize or obey any rules or laws.
- chirpy — If you describe a person or their behaviour as chirpy, you mean they are very cheerful and lively.
adjective provocative
- arousing — causing sexual excitement
- commoving — Present participle of commove.
- confrontational — If you describe the way that someone behaves as confrontational, you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they are aggressive and likely to cause an argument or dispute.
- contentious — A contentious issue causes a lot of disagreement or arguments.
- controversial — If you describe something or someone as controversial, you mean that they are the subject of intense public argument, disagreement, or disapproval.
noun provocative
- querulousness — The quality of being querulous.
Antonyms for provocative
adj provocative
- innoxious — harmless; innocuous.
- inoffensive — causing no harm, trouble, or annoyance: a mild, inoffensive man.
adjective provocative
- appeasing — to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe: to appease an angry king.
- conciliatory — When you are conciliatory in your actions or behaviour, you show that you are willing to end a disagreement with someone.
- nonprovocative — Not provocative.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with p
- Words starting with pr
- Words starting with pro
- Words starting with prov
- Words starting with provo
- Words starting with provoc
- Words starting with provoca
- Words starting with provocat
- Words starting with provocati
- Words starting with provocativ
- Words starting with provocative