provocativepro‧voc‧a‧tive /prəˈvɒkətɪv $ -ˈvɑː-/ ●○○ adjective 
The minister’s provocative remarks were widely reported in the press. a provocative act by a terrorist group She was accused of being deliberately provocative.2provocative clothes, movements, pictures etc are intended to make someone sexually excited: provocative images of young girls—provocatively adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a provocative bikini
- The book's provocative statements have led to it being banned in some schools.
- The magazine is full of pictures of partially dressed women in provocative poses.
- A fascinating and provocative timetable spanning nearly 200 million years has emerged.
- It was detailed, provocative and refreshingly easy to read.
- Many, of course, are carefully staged, clearly presented, and very provocative.
- These were a survival from his army days and, therefore, some way from being sexually provocative.
Longman Language Activatorclothes, movements, remarks etc that are sexually attractive
sexually attractive: · He's got a really deep sexy voice.· I think leather pants are really sexy.· Gabby dived into the pool leaving her sexy black dress draped over a chair.
seeming to show strong sexual feelings and a desire for sexual pleasure: · Peter leaned forward and kissed the girl's sensual red lips.· The artist became obsessed by her strange, sensual beauty.
intended to make someone feel sexually excited: · The magazine is full of pictures of partially dressed women in provocative poses.
very sexually attractive, and making you want to have sex, especially when you should not : · From across the room, I noticed that Philip was giving me a seductive stare.
are intended to make you think about sex: · Several of the most sexually suggestive scenes have been cut from the film.· Victor winked at her, and his smile was so wickedly suggestive that Francesca blushed.
informal something that you think it is sexually exciting: · The sight of all those half-naked men may be a turn-on to some women, but I find it unappealing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The minister’s provocative remarks were widely reported in the press. a provocative act by a terrorist group She was accused of being deliberately provocative. provocative images of young girlsCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1provocative behaviour, remarks etc are intended to make people angry or upset, or to cause a lot of discussionprovocative comment/remark/statement The minister’s provocative remarks were widely reported in the press. a provocative act by a terrorist group She was accused of being deliberately provocative. provocative images of young girls· Roman, as always, was being arrogant, deliberately provocative.
· One of the most provocative findings in recent years has been the degree of parallel organization hidden within individual anatomical regions.· Probably one of the most provocative young personalities in television today.· Then she got out and strolled up to the gate with her most provocative walk.
NOUN· From the standpoint of Louis's existing sons, it was a provocative act.
· That optimism was immediately contradicted by Haider's provocative comments.
· There is a lot of provocative images and statements that are made that we want people to challenge.· Nor does he worry about offending people with his provocative images.
· And that stupidly provocative remark hadn't helped.· Why did he have to make such a provocative remark?
· Every press release should include a quotable, provocative statement from an officer or committee member of the organization involved.· A final provocative statement from a life-long prankster, a prodigal son of Harvard, it seems so fitting.· These supposedly extreme propositions are much better understood as provocative statements of a political position than as semantic claims.
The minister’s provocative remarks were widely reported in the press. a provocative act by a terrorist group She was accused of being deliberately provocative.2provocative clothes, movements, pictures etc are intended to make someone sexually excited: provocative images of young girls—provocatively adverb