Collocations for provocative - adj.

be, seem
consider sth

extremely, fairly, very, etc.
highly
deliberately, intentionally
The book's epilogue is deliberately provocative.
The paper had the intentionally provocative title, ‘Non-Darwinian evolution’.

needlessly, unnecessarily

be, look

highly, very
sexually
Models find themselves wearing sexually provocative clothing.

Provocative is used with these nouns:
act, article, remark, suggestion, thesis