provocativeness

noun

as in zest

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocativeness
  1. zest
  2. piquancy
  3. stimulation
  4. pungency
  5. zing
  6. excitement
  7. stimulus
  8. thrill
Noun
  • Add the coconut sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Add some flair The zest of a lemon, finely grated with a Microplane, is non-negotiable in my book.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of zest
Noun
  • Those split levels of child and adult consciousness give the film a certain piquancy, a little gap where drama can spark in a story where almost nothing really happens except a kid takes a plane ride, or several plane rides, with his mom.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
  • That Mann himself had written stories on gay themes added to the piquancy of the encounter.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of piquancy
Noun
  • There are also sessions of Cranio Sacral Balance, EmSella pelvic-floor activation, Exomind brain stimulation, lymphatic drainage, and physiotherapy.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Rouben Madikians, a flight attendant of 40 years, recommends blocking out some of that stimulation instead.
    — Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulation
Noun
  • Scallion Oil Noodles Scallion oil noodles, a specialty of Shanghai and the greater Jiangnan region in eastern China, showcase the allium sweetness and mellow pungency of one of the most versatile aromatics in Chinese cuisine.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • The dressing, based on nuoc cham, a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce, has just enough fish sauce to give it depth and pungency without overpowering the brightness of the lime.
    — Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Definition of pungency
Noun
  • Top with chimichurri, salsa verde, or a compound butter for extra zing.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The hearty meat is just barely kissed with a bit of mayo; enough to give it some zing but not overpower the meat.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of zing
Noun
  • The 100-meter sprint in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval brought together the world’s fastest runners, hurtling along at breakneck speed to shrieks of excitement from a captivated crowd.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But as the excitement for launch built, and the days until Roman's launch dwindled, excitement over the possibility of a solar transit spread among the photojournalists at KSC.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excitement
Noun
  • Shape-memory polymers can be programmed to return to a particular shape after exposure to a stimulus, often heat.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Surrounded by the healing landscape of the Sonoran Desert, the luxe getaway has welcomed travelers seeking to put aside digital overload and other overwhelming stimuli in order to reconnect with the best versions of themselves.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • Admire the changing season on a scenic train ride, hay ride, horseback ride, or paddle, or add thrills aboard a mountain coaster or via railbike or zip line.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • These songs felt a little like that—a way to peer into other people’s affairs, knowing just enough to feel the illicit thrill of some faraway tryst.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of thrill
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

provocatively
provocativeness
provoke
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Cite this Entry

“Provocativeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocativeness. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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