Provocatives

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Things that inspire intense responses or provoke discussions Elements or messages specifically aimed at triggering emotional or intellectual engagement Items crafted to confront societal norms and ignite debate
2. Objects or concepts designed to evoke powerful emotional or mental responses
3. Materials or ideas intended to stir up strong feelings or thoughtful consideration

Etymology: "Provocatives" is the plural of "provocative," which works as both an adjective and a noun. The adjective came into English by way of Middle French "provocatif," itself drawn from Late Latin "provocativus," a derivative of the Latin verb "provocare," meaning "to call forth" or "to challenge." Its literal sense is therefore something that calls something else out of a person or place. That root is built from "pro-," meaning "forth," and "vocare," "to call," the same verb that gives English "vocal" and "vocation." A provocation was originally a summons or a challenge, the kind of call that demands a response, and only later came to mean an incitement to anger. The noun "provocative" in the sense given here, an object or idea meant to stir strong feeling, grows naturally from that older idea of calling forth a reaction.

Synonyms: stimulating, inciting, agitating, provoking, challenging

Antonyms: calming, soothing, pacifying, subduing, restraining