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 Winkler recalled having only three weeks to work with MTV and Spears’s creative team to produce the stage design, at a time when digital collaboration was in its early infancy. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Emery and Jarrell pointed to the creative freedom of audio drama as key to production. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Having sat out last year’s edition following her departure from Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri is back in her capacity as chief creative officer of Fendi. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 The documentary is currently in development, with additional announcements regarding the creative team, production, distribution and release plans to follow. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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