provocative
gb/pɹoʊvˈɑkɪtɪv/ us/pɹoʊvˈɑkɪtɪv/
B2
Inglese
~ 9200
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B2
property
1
causing anger or strong reaction
Making people feel angry or upset, often on purpose.
Schema d'uso:
provocative [remark/statement/action/behavior]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes think "provocative" only has a sexual meaning. In this common sense, it means causing anger, upset, or a strong emotional reaction, especially in politics, news, or public debate. It is often used with "remark," "statement," "action," or "behavior."
Sinonimi
inflammatory (Often suggests language or actions that are likely to cause anger or even violence, and sounds slightly stronger than "provocative".)
|
controversial (Focuses more on causing disagreement and public debate; may be less emotionally charged than "provocative".)
Contrari
uncontroversial (Describes remarks or actions that do not cause disagreement or strong reaction.)
|
calming (Describes words or actions that reduce anger or emotional tension rather than increase it.)
Collocazioni
provocative remark
|provocative statement
|provocative action
|highly provocative
|deeply provocative
|politically provocative
Temi
communication
|emotions
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The minister's provocative remarks sparked protests across the country.
- Posting that meme right after the accident was incredibly provocative and insensitive.
- The military described the missile launch as a provocative act by the neighboring state.
- Her deliberately provocative tweet drew thousands of angry replies within minutes.
- The artist insists that his work is political but not intended to be provocative.
Esempi per chi studia
- His provocative words made many people angry.
- The cartoon was very provocative and upset a lot of readers.
- The country's provocative actions started a serious conflict.
- The headline was provocative and caused a big argument online.
- He made a provocative joke that some people did not like.
adjective
B2
property
2
sexually arousing or suggestive
Making people feel sexual desire, or trying to get sexual attention.
Schema d'uso:
provocative [clothing/outfit/pose/behavior]
Errore comune:
Learners often think "provocative" always means "sexual." It does have this meaning with nouns like "clothing," "dress," "photos," or "pose," but in news and politics it more often means "causing anger". Be careful to read the noun and context to decide which meaning fits.
Sinonimi
sexy (More informal and direct; focuses mainly on sexual attractiveness, while "provocative" can also imply deliberate teasing or challenging social norms.)
|
seductive (Often suggests an intention to attract or persuade someone sexually or romantically; can sound more planned or charming than "provocative.")
Contrari
modest (Describes clothing or behavior that avoids showing too much of the body or drawing sexual attention.)
|
conservative (Describes style or dress that follows traditional rules and does not seem sexual or daring.)
Collocazioni
provocative clothing
|provocative outfit
|sexually provocative
|provocative pose
|provocative dance
|provocative photos
Temi
relationships
|appearance
|media
|body
|emotions
Esempi
- The magazine cover showed a model in a highly provocative pose.
- The school banned what it called "provocative clothing" from the classroom.
- Some critics argued that the video was more provocative than artistic.
- He complained that the ad relied on provocative images just to sell the product.
- Her dancing was seen as too provocative for a family TV show.
Esempi per chi studia
- She wore a very provocative dress to the party.
- The ad used provocative photos to get attention.
- His parents think her clothes are too provocative.
- The video is full of provocative images of young people.
- The teacher told students not to wear provocative outfits to school.
adjective
C1
property
3
stimulating thought or interest
Making people think a lot or think in a new way, often by saying something surprising or different.
Schema d'uso:
provocative [question/idea/article/artwork]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse this sense with the "angering" sense. When used with words like "idea," "question," "essay," or "book," it often means stimulating and mentally challenging, not necessarily making people angry. Also, learners sometimes overuse "interesting"; in more advanced English, "provocative" can be a stronger, more specific choice for ideas that really challenge people.
Sinonimi
thought-provoking (Almost the same meaning and very common in this context; slightly more neutral and less likely to suggest anger or shock.)
|
challenging (Suggests that ideas are difficult or demand mental effort; does not always carry the sense of being shocking or risky like "provocative" can.)
Contrari
uninspiring (Describes ideas or works that fail to make people think or feel interested.)
|
dull (Informally describes something boring and not mentally stimulating, the opposite of "provocative" in this sense.)
Collocazioni
provocative question
|provocative idea
|provocative argument
|provocative essay
|provocative artwork
|provocative title
Temi
ideas
|education
|art
|media
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The book is full of provocative ideas about how technology is changing our lives.
- She opened the meeting with a provocative question: "Do we really need managers at all?"
- The exhibition offers a provocative look at gender roles in modern society.
- His provocative essay pushed readers to rethink their assumptions about success.
- The film is not just violent; it is also intellectually provocative.
Esempi per chi studia
- The speaker asked a provocative question that made everyone think.
- It was a short but very provocative article.
- The teacher likes to use provocative questions in class.
- Her provocative ideas made the discussion more interesting.
- The movie was strange but very provocative and made me think a lot.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
causing a bodily response (medical)
(Medical) Causing the body to react in a special test so doctors can measure that reaction.
Schema d'uso:
provocative [test/stimulus/dose]
Errore comune:
Learners rarely meet this sense unless they read medical texts. They may incorrectly apply the everyday meanings (angering or sexual) when they see "provocative test" in a clinical context. In medical writing, it simply means that the test makes the body react so doctors can measure the reaction.
Sinonimi
stimulatory (Technical term emphasizing that something stimulates a biological response; used mainly in scientific or medical writing.)
Contrari
suppressive (Describes a drug or procedure that reduces or blocks a bodily response instead of provoking it.)
Collocazioni
provocative test
|provocative dose
|provocative stimulus
|exercise provocative test
Temi
medicine
|science
|health
Esempi
- The doctor ordered a provocative test to evaluate the patient's heart rhythm under stress.
- In this study, a standardized provocative stimulus was used to trigger allergic reactions.
- Patients with abnormal results on the provocative dose may require further investigation.
- Exercise is sometimes used as a provocative tool to detect hidden cardiac problems.
Esempi per chi studia
- The hospital did a provocative test to study his heart.
- In a provocative test, doctors give something to make the body react.
- The nurse explained that the provocative dose was small and safe.
- A provocative test can help find hidden health problems.
Grammatica
Forma base
provocative
IPA
GB/pɹoʊvˈɑkɪtɪv/
US/pɹoʊvˈɑkɪtɪv/
Sillabe e accento
pro - voc - at - ive (4 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (voc)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: provocative
Famiglia di parole
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unprovoked
adjective
Advanced or less common
provocateur
noun
Espressioni
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