1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat
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2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee
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Recent Examples of imaginative
Getty Images The widespread belief that left-handers—who make up roughly 10 percent of the population—are more imaginative or artistically gifted has persisted in part due to the brain's structure.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Room 11, 10-11 a.m. San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
The San Diego International Children’s Film Festival features creative, exciting, and imaginative short films from around the world—animation, live-action, and documentary—good for all ages.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Thanks to a script by Heather Hach and Leslie Dixon, the new Freaky plays the obvious gags in ways both surprising and imaginative.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
Instead, we’re left with monochrome: structurally accomplished, but only vaguely imaginative.
—Peter A. Berry, Variety, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Room 11, 10-11 a.m. San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
The San Diego International Children’s Film Festival features creative, exciting, and imaginative short films from around the world—animation, live-action, and documentary—good for all ages.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Thanks to a script by Heather Hach and Leslie Dixon, the new Freaky plays the obvious gags in ways both surprising and imaginative.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025
Instead, we’re left with monochrome: structurally accomplished, but only vaguely imaginative.
—Peter A. Berry, Variety, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
Adjective
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It is still cited today as a game-changing movie thanks to its inventive, kinetic animation style.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 July 2025
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The empty hotel became a favorite home for inventive squatters seeking shelter as electricity and water were still available.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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WorkLife With Adam Grant Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, delves into workplaces that have incorporated innovative strategies to make every day more productive and actually fun.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Wayne Metro is helping a handful of residents, mostly in Wayne County, book their first trips, said Megan Wilk, Wayne Metro's director of innovative programs.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Our dining and nightlife correspondent Ana Gutierrez rounded up the creative tequila and mezcal cocktails Austin bars have on tap to mark the occasion.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Honey Gochujang Corn Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches were created by crew members at a store in Houston, Texas, and this surprising and creative dessert took first place in the national contest.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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That includes clever storage and organizers, which are currently up to 70 percent off this month.—
Rylee Johnston,
People.com,
27 July 2025
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In a clever stroke, Chauhan made the vindaloo with ground lamb, rather than the usual hunks, to nod to the more traditional chili topping.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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