ingenuity

noun

ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce ingenuity (audio)
Definition of ingenuitynext
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things the mystery writer's exceptional ingenuity enabled her to devise plots that always had readers guessing to the very end

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ingenuity Two sections profiling famous designers highlight this ingenuity. — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 Ardelia Istarú’s script struck us with its power and ingenuity. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 July 2026 The Mouse House was built on a foundation of imagination and ingenuity. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Without superpowers or magic to fall back on, heroes had to rely on little more than implausible levels of ingenuity and resilience, a capacity to dodge bullets/laser fire, and a gift for making the right quip at the right time. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ingenuity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenuity
  1. creativity
  2. creativeness
  3. imagination
  4. talent
  5. inventiveness
  6. imaginativeness
Noun
  • Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Now these artists are exploring the relationship between humor and faith with audiences that are feeling the impact of artificial intelligence on creativity and culture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of creativity
Noun
  • But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.
    — Andrew McDiarmid, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of creativeness
Noun
  • The new college will build on the California College of the Arts' legacy, integrating advanced technology with artistic imagination and design to cultivate future creators.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The bricks allow children and fans to build anything from their imagination, according to the release.
    — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
Definition of imagination
Noun
  • Diversity leaders, who have often been positioned around talent, will no longer be able to lean on the annual EEO1 report that many have relied on to understand the demographic data needed to excel in their position.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • As well as his dazzling talent, supporters loved the tireless work rate and enthusiasm of their No 7.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • Don Iwerks, whose inventiveness helped transform Disney’s theme parks, died July 9 at the age of 96, reported the Walt Disney Co.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • But such concerns recede when a movie has this much heart and humor, not to mention respect for South Sea cultures, inventiveness with their mythology and an infectious sense of wonder at the miracles of nature.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of inventiveness
Noun
  • There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.
    — Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024
Definition of imaginativeness

Browse Nearby Words

ingenues
ingenuity
ingenuous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ingenuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenuity. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ingenuity

Nglish: Translation of ingenuity for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All