intellectually provocative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectually provocative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ideas, works, or discussions that stimulate thought or challenge conventional thinking. Example: "The author's latest book is intellectually provocative, encouraging readers to reconsider their beliefs about society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We wanted to be intellectually provocative.

The New York Times - Arts

It is so intellectually provocative that it will make your head spin.

The New York Times - Arts

Killer Service Less fully realized, though just as intellectually provocative, is Arnaud Desplechin's "Esther Kahn".

The New York Times

As Laurence Kardish puts it, Oliver Stone is a filmmaker "whose works are at once viscerally entertaining and intellectually provocative".

The New York Times

That's just a pretext, though, for this baggy two-person comedy of manners that aims to be intellectually provocative but can't rise above the smugly silly.

The New York Times

Gracefully weaving together youthful memories with research into his father's life and times, Denis Guénoun re-creates an Algerian past that proved lovely, intellectually provocative, and dangerous.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The American pianist Jonathan Biss is putting his passion for Beethoven to intriguing uses: following his intellectually-provocative eBook Beethoven's Shadow he's launched an online course on Beethoven's sonatas which has reached 100,000 people, and he's commissioned concertos from five composers to act as counter-weights to Beethoven's five.

Independent

While Halo focuses on high-octane futuristic combat, BioShock is a more intimate, psychologically engaging experience built around a provocative, intellectually mature story.

The New York Times - Arts

Okrent found the issue "intellectually interesting and provocative enough that I thought Keller and Siegal" — Allan M. Siegal, the paper's standards editor — "might be interested".

The New Yorker

This expansive, intellectually and visually provocative two-gallery show presents works from five decades by Mr. Artschwager, the New York-based object maker, and Mr. Ruscha, the Los Angeles-based maker of signlike paintings.

The New York Times - Arts

Bryan's taste runs the gamut of intellectually and artistically provocative sounds, and the party has hosted drone, synth, and noise acts, as well as lots of moody minimal techno à la Sandwell District.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intellectually provocative" when you want to emphasize the stimulating and challenging nature of an idea, argument, or work. It's particularly effective when discussing topics that encourage critical thinking and debate.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectually provocative" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound pretentious or overly formal in contexts where simpler terms like "thought-provoking" or "interesting" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectually provocative" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It typically modifies nouns, describing ideas, works, or individuals that stimulate deep thinking and challenge conventional understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intellectually provocative" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase, particularly in news, media, and academic contexts. It describes ideas or works that stimulate deep thinking and challenge existing perspectives. While interchangeable with alternatives like "thought-provoking" or "stimulating to the intellect", it's best reserved for contexts where its formal tone is appropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and effectively conveys the characteristic of something being intellectually stimulating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thought-provoking

This alternative is more concise and commonly used to describe something that stimulates thinking.

Stimulating to the intellect

This alternative is a more formal and descriptive way to express the same idea.

Mentally stimulating

This alternative highlights the stimulating effect on the mind.

Intellectually stimulating

This alternative uses a different adjective to convey a very similar meaning.

Academically challenging

This alternative focuses on the challenging aspect within an academic context.

Inspiring deep thought

This alternative emphasizes the inspirational aspect of intellectual stimulation.

Intriguing and insightful

This alternative combines intrigue with the idea of providing insight.

Provoking deeper understanding

This alternative specifies the outcome of provoking thought: a deeper understanding.

Pushing intellectual boundaries

This alternative focuses on challenging the limits of intellectual thought.

Arousing intellectual curiosity

This alternative highlights the aspect of stimulating curiosity.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectually provocative" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectually provocative" to describe something that stimulates thought or challenges conventional thinking. For example, "The author's latest book is intellectually provocative, encouraging readers to reconsider their beliefs about society."

What can I say instead of "intellectually provocative"?

You can use alternatives like "thought-provoking", "stimulating to the intellect", or "mentally stimulating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "intellectually provocative" or "intellectual provocative"?

"Intellectually provocative" is the correct phrase. "Intellectual provocative" is grammatically incorrect as it misses the adverbial form modifying the adjective.

What is the difference between "intellectually provocative" and "controversial"?

"Intellectually provocative" describes something that stimulates thought and challenges existing perspectives, while "controversial" describes something that causes disagreement or public dispute. Something can be both, but they are not synonymous.