creative

adjective

krē-ˈā-tiv How to pronounce creative (audio)
Definition of creativenext
1
as in innovative
having the skill and imagination to create new things Thomas Edison's status as perhaps America's greatest creative genius

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing always coming up with creative ways to use hamburger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 creative The religion places a particularly strong emphasis on creative pursuits and thus offerings often include written prayers, poetry, and song. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Blind, which follows a writer whose loss of sight sharpens her creative imagination, premiered in Sundance and Berlin. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 The news was announced by her husband and longtime creative partner, Peter Gordon, on Instagram. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The show is being developed in partnership with the creative team at series developer Square Enix, the company said in a release. — Sean Keane, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for creative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creative
  1. innovative
  2. imaginative
  3. inventive
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • Featuring exteriors by Espen Øino International, interiors by Reymond Langton Design, and naval architecture by Lürssen, Whisper (then Kismet) won a prestigious World Superyacht Award in 2015 thanks to its innovative design.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Though potential mission delays could still open up opportunities for these innovative flyers to tag along.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • The whole business of poetry, the line breaks and stanzas, puts emphasis on imaginative edits and collaging.
    — Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Each new spot is an imaginative wonderland and will captivate the attentions of little ones, and parents.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • All the entries are highly personal, bracingly creative and audaciously inventive recreations of immortal standards familiar throughout the world.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Dinner Time The Nest brings an upscale sensibility to the burger joint, with gourmet beef, bison, and black bean patties dressed in inventive combinations, plus a full menu of alternatives for anyone not in a burger mood.
    — John Godfrey Published, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • The battery is smaller, lighter and cleverer than most rivals.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fraud rarely flourishes because criminals are exceptionally clever.
    — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Riley has a talented veteran QB (Jayden Maiava), a strong O-line and now mad scientist Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Yellowjackets is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

creations
creative
creativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Creative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creative. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on creative

Nglish: Translation of creative for Spanish Speakers

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