Definition of inventionnext
1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 invention What surprising invention did a teen come up with to help his grandparents? Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Viewed from a distance, the pressure AI exerts on human artists appears as part of an evolutionary process that far predates its own invention. Tim Brinkhof, Time, 26 June 2026 These new inventions made workers more productive and improved the lives of everyone. Jessica Melugin, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026 As for egg rolls, those are an American invention. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
  • The South Asian diaspora witnessed a wave of musical innovation in the early 1980s, producing a number of records that would go on to earn landmark status.
    Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 27 June 2026
  • This innovation promises genuine improvement for golfers of all skill levels, offering a tangible advantage on the greens.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Weir takes readers on an adventure through this science-fiction survival story about a junior high science teacher who wakes up aboard a spaceship with amnesia.
    Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Crisis and renewal are strictly a matter of marketing now, a fiction that permanently assigns the Democrats the role of technocrats managing national decline while Republicans get to stand for muscular optimism and economic expansion.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The beautiful Grace Kelly captured the world's attention and imagination (and still does) for decades, but no one was more enamored by the actress than Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
    Freya Drohan, InStyle, 30 June 2026
  • No one was worried about screentime, and teachers didn't have to battle phones and short attention spans to capture their students' imaginations.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Your creativity is eager and focused as the Sagittarius moon coordinates with Saturn.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • Produced by Milos-Films and shot at Hélium Films’ studios in Switzerland’s Lausanne, the short follows three handcrafted monkeys who transform a cold animation studio into a vibrant jungle through creativity, collaboration and resourcefulness.
    JD Linville, Variety, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • In the hands of Gillespie — whose specialty is edgy female-empowerment tales like the Oscar-winning I, Tonya and Cruella as well as the Emmy-winning Hulu series Pam & Tommy — how could the new Supergirl go wrong?
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The final score doesn't tell the tale of this game.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.
    Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.
    Andrew McDiarmid, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But now, under the Bivens Act, the protester can sue the federal agent for false arrest, malicious prosecution, evidence fabrication, and excessive force.
    Joel B. Rudin, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
  • Mastery of aviation’s uncompromising structural codes and fabrication standards is an asset for any studio.
    The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on invention

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