1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in operating
being in effective operation
the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
unfortunately, the operative amount of the medication and the lethal amount were too close for it to be used safely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of operative
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The senior Sinaloa Cartel operative, whom CNN interviewed to better understand the inner workings of these cross-border networks, is responsible for directing the flow of migrants and drugs in southern Arizona.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The resulting financial pressures are putting a significant strain on hospital operative capacity, threatening job losses, and even the closure of hospitals.
—Alexander Podgornyy, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
Privately, political operatives from both sides concede that government shutdowns are bad for both parties.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
The senior Sinaloa Cartel operative, whom CNN interviewed to better understand the inner workings of these cross-border networks, is responsible for directing the flow of migrants and drugs in southern Arizona.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
For one, the Jones-Turner SPAC was still operative when Jones signed with the Clippers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The resulting financial pressures are putting a significant strain on hospital operative capacity, threatening job losses, and even the closure of hospitals.
—Alexander Podgornyy, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
Deadline has confirmed that the original artwork was replaced by stills from the Ian Fleming spy movies over the weekend, following a social media backlash that coincided with James Bond Day on October 5.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
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Another serendipitous development that’s got Petrie excited is the upcoming second season of The Night Manager with Tom Hiddleston, the British spy thriller adapted from John le Carré’s 1993 novel.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The original Heat starred Pacino as Vincent Hanna, the LAPD detective investigating bank robber Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro).—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The next detective retired a few years later while under investigation for discrimination, harrassment and falsifying information during a homicide investigation.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
But what a response — a performance full of waspish pressing, muscular defending and precise, efficient counters.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The offense was efficient in the pass game with four Dak Prescott passing touchdowns, and the run game success continued behind Javonte Williams’ 135 yards and two total touchdowns.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In September, Border Patrol agents averaged roughly 279 apprehensions per day along the Southwest border — about 8,300 for the month — marking a 95% drop from the previous administration’s daily average of about 5,110 between February 2021 and December 2024, according to CBP figures.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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According to a China State Council directive, the country is aiming for AI adoption to reach 70% of the population by 2027 by imbuing various agents and other applications across core industries.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His claims were verified when investigators checked out the grave sites.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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The driver of the Nissan stayed at the scene of the crash and cooperated with investigators, police said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The paper addresses operational procedures, describing mechanical and electrical triggers, containment strategies for managing gases, and a full process timeline of roughly 335 minutes from initiation to material extraction.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
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Tuesday was filled with intensive coaching and mentorship sessions with Walmart and Sam's Club merchants, sourcing experts and past Open Call alumni about scaling up production, improving packaging, and strengthening their financial and operational readiness.—
Serenah McKay,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
New Mexico’s defense was particularly effective in the first half, getting 10 tackles for loss and spending a lot of time in the Broncos’ backfield.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Some Russians already have complained about Max’s functionality (and mocked VK’s semi-cheesy, semi-effective enlistment of rappers, comedians, and influencers to promote it).—
Justin Sherman,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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