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

Relevance

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 In 1999, Drew co-founded the music collective Broken Social Scene with his fellow singer and guitarist Brendan Canning, counting several members of the two units among its creative lineups. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 Russia’s participation has been a flashpoint for debate within EU creative and political circles since before the Biennale opened in early May. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026 Instead of handing influencers scripts after campaigns are finished, many now bring them into the creative process earlier, from product feedback to campaign concepts. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 24 July 2026 The story looks at the passion and heartbreak of creative collaboration, and unfolds against the rising video game industry of the 1990s-2000s. — Brent Lang, Variety, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for creative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creative
  1. innovative
  2. imaginative
  3. inventive
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • Treatments blend rare organic products and ingredients, a mix of innovative and traditional techniques, and a holistic, 360-degree approach to well-being—and can all be adapted to personal preferences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • In response to these shortcomings, innovative tech companies are now taking a active, airborne approach to pest control by deploying tiny air-to-air killer drones directly into the skies to hunt down and eliminate these deadly insects.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • That was also the case for Farrell, 24, who has a similar profile as a savvy playmaker and imaginative chance-creator.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 July 2026
  • But while Kozue is a genuine, unapologetic weirdo, the film that is constructed around her soon betrays a less imaginative, more normative impulse — so much so that this coming-of-age story ultimately leaves a bitter taste.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • From cute to hilarious and sometimes even weird, this year’s selection highlights joyful, inventive images.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The most inventive kill here — set in a school gym, cuing death by treadmill and falling weights — is also the least motivated, but no matter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Cretton is the rare former indie filmmaker who pushes himself to stage clever action sequences.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Octopuses are as clever, in their own way, as such famously brainy animals as crows, dolphins or chimpanzees.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Someone like Marcello Mastroianni, who always downplayed his being this super-talented artist, had a photographic memory and could learn everything by the first read.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • Rogen also worked often with Jonah Hill (Knocked Up) and James Franco (Pineapple Express), but neither of those talented young filmmakers managed to match Rogen’s energy or resilience in conjuring future projects.
    — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

creations
creative
creativeness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Creative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creative. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on creative

Nglish: Translation of creative for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All