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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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 States got creative with all sorts of financial incentives, from million-dollar prizes to college scholarships. — Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026 Patricia Kondratenko said Suzanne was creative, independent and had a daring sense of humor. — Sheryl Lee, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026 The production’s creative team, led by the inexhaustibly inventive director José Luis Valenzuela, returns us to a world where the dead are owed sacred duties and the living are fearful to renege on this basic human responsibility. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Master Class brings together four directors reflecting on their creative work. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for creative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creative
  1. innovative
  2. imaginative
  3. inventive
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • The mission is part of a broader effort led by USSF to leverage the United States’ innovative commercial space industry to improve the service’s ability to respond to security challenges.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • As a result, the company has developed innovative techniques around drill motors, bit designs — the company uses a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit — and drilling fluids.
    — Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Both of France’s sons seem to appreciate imaginative play over messing around with action figures, something that makes perfect sense given France’s own love for the arts.
    — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • One of the great melodists of the rock era taking up bass, however, gave us dozens of richly imaginative and memorable basslines.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • Texas barbecue is typically defined by salt-and-pepper brisket and pork ribs, but this new crop of halal pitmasters is adding inventive twists, often based on their own family heritages.
    — Ulaa Kuziez, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The wine list is extensive but it sometimes gets shown up by the fresh, inventive cocktails, with a few crafted by the chef’s wife, Diane Mina.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Then an 81-year-old Phil Rizzuto gets into a car and drives off with third base — an especially clever bit, since Rizzuto, as a broadcaster, was famous for leaving early to beat the traffic across the George Washington Bridge.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • It is treated as a quick fix for automation or a clever add-on that makes existing workflows smoother.
    — Tal Dagan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • At the time, Tiafoe was the most talented 10-year-old there, the son of the head maintenance guy, Constant Tiafoe, who had fled civil war in Sierra Leone with his wife.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Business leaders should treat that career growth as an outcome worth producing, not an accidental byproduct of employing talented people.
    — Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of talented

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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 12 Sep. 2026.

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