Controversial
Controversial adjective - Relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions.
Provocative and controversial are semantically related In some cases you can use "Provocative" instead an adjective "Controversial".
Provocative
Provocative adjective - Serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction.
Controversial and provocative are semantically related in affronting topic. Sometimes you can use "Controversial" instead an adjective "Provocative".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was an eccentric German author who wrote lots of books, laden with extremely provocative and controversial ideas for his time (some of which are still controversial to this day), and they made him famous.
Source: Creator / Friedrich Nietzsche - The provocative tone and controversial subjects of his writing made it easy to subvert them for Nazi propaganda.
Source: Creator / Friedrich Nietzsche -
They were known for their aggressive, provocative style; their habit of involving (and attacking) audience members and their tendency to go after controversial, topical and taboo subject matter.
Source: Music / Doug Anthony All Stars
Cite this Source
Provocative and Controversial. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/controversial/provocative
Controversial & Provocative. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/controversial/provocative>.
Provocative or Controversial. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/controversial/provocative.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "controversial" and "provocative" have occurred on timeline