Provocative meaning in English

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Definition

provocative: offensive, insulting, challenging, stimulating adjective

Examples

  • "Make it funny or provocative or both."
  • "I've selected a number of provocative outfits for the shoot - Japanese schoolgirl, sexy nurse, dark-haired CEO of a perfume company... just to name a few."
  • "Unfortunately, it's not good news: I've had several complaints about the provocative nature of our posters."
  • "But beyond its artistic mission, the gallery is clearly a provocative advertisement for the perfume company."
Exercise 1
"It's quite thoughtful of you to ask".
Choose the best synonym for the word thoughtful, as Mayor Flimshaw uses the term in the dialogue.
"It's quite thoughtful of you to ask".
Choose the best synonym for the word thoughtful, as Mayor Flimshaw uses the term in the dialogue.
Here the mayor is telling Susie that it is kind of her to propose the services of the Delavigne Corp. "Thoughtful" means "considerate" or "kind" in this context. It's true that in another context, "thoughtful" can reflect something "thought provoking" or "intelligent", however here the mayor is referring to Susie's "generosity" or "kindness" in offering Delavigne's services to the city of San Francisco.
"Provocative" is not a synonym for "thoughtful" in this context.
"Interesting" is not a synonym for "thoughtful" in this context. The mayor remarks that Susie is "thoughtful" to offer Delavigne's services to help the mayor and the city. He is not expressing that she, or her offer, is "interesting", but rather that she is kind or generous to offer. It's true that in another context a "thoughtful observation" may be an intelligent one, however telling someone that it is "thoughtful to ask" is not an indication of their intelligence, but of their consideration or kindness.
"Clever" is not a synonym for "thoughtful". A "clever person" is intelligent, smart or resourceful. In this context, "thoughtful" doesn't share a similar meaning with "clever".

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