1
as in innovation
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
his clever invention made people's lives easier
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2
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination
unsurprisingly, the story about being kidnapped by aliens was pure invention
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3
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
a writer with great invention, she is able to create on the page worlds that don't exist but certainly seem like they could
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4
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
a person of seemingly endless invention, Thomas Edison held a world-record 1,093 patents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invention
There was some invention from Guardiola in designing this.
—
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Carevix, which was named one of the best inventions of 2024 by TIME Magazine, is now available to medical providers in Southern California and New York.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Those who read the play after the film will be surprised to learn that Hedda and Tesman’s night-long party is an invention for the screen.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
This month marks 80 years since one of the most influential yet underrated inventions burst onto the market in New York on October 29, 1945.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Carevix, which was named one of the best inventions of 2024 by TIME Magazine, is now available to medical providers in Southern California and New York.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Those who read the play after the film will be surprised to learn that Hedda and Tesman’s night-long party is an invention for the screen.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
This month marks 80 years since one of the most influential yet underrated inventions burst onto the market in New York on October 29, 1945.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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Now, that is clearly an innovation that print cannot accommodate, but that a manuscript can.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The collaboration brings together Coach’s heritage craftsmanship and B&V’s expertise in circular innovation.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Watson's book was more akin to pulp fiction than definitive history.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Worries about fictions created by artificial intelligence used to prepare legal documents have plagued the legal community for the past few years, as the public’s infatuation with the generative technology has grown.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For decades, the dream of personal flight, as envisioned by jetpacks, hoverboards, and flying cars, has captured our imagination.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Paddington Bear’s meeting with a BBC News journalist appears to have captured the imagination of fans after the marmalade-loving mammal made his debut in a West End musical.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
At Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails, Chef Joseph Cusmano brings creativity and skill to a traditional steakhouse menu with a few fun surprises to keep diners on their toes.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
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Simply add your own creativity and can-do spirit.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This funny tale of unlikely heroism can be enjoyed either as a read-aloud or as a confidence booster for newly independent readers.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The tale away from the playing field in recent years has been dizzying, one of soaring costs and debts, of quirks and chicanery unseen elsewhere.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Based on those findings, the team came up with two simple but powerful fixes that are both compatible with existing chip fabrication techniques.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
If your instinct, in other words, is to smooth things over with a bland fabrication, try dropping a tiny truth bomb instead.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Conquering the world – or the World Series, anyway – takes concentration, ingenuity and, yes, a whole lot of money.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Clients hired Adjaye’s outfit not only for its technical expertise and ingenuity but also for the leader’s aesthetic and stature.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Amid the second surge of the virus, in August 2020, the first ‘covid novel’ arrived—Ali Smith’s Summer, the last of a seasonal quartet, written during Britain’s early lockdown, which includes real-time descriptions of the pandemic’s onset.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Lee is in his bookstore, reading Walter Tevis’ novel The Man Who Fell to Earth, as Dale (Tim Blake Nelson) browses the shelves.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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