pro ‧ voc ‧ a ‧ tive /prəˈvɒkətɪv $ -ˈvɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . provocative behaviour, remarks etc are intended to make people angry or upset, or to cause a lot of discussion
provocative 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.
2 . provocative clothes, movements, pictures etc are intended to make someone sexually excited:
provocative images of young girls
—provocatively adverb