Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

ingenious

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of ingenious

1 having the skill and imagination to create new things
  • an ingenious but rather eccentric inventor
Synonyms of ingenious

clever, creative, imaginative, innovative, inventive, original, originative, Promethean
Words Related to ingenious

gifted, inspired, talented

resourceful

fecund, fertile, fruitful, generative, germinal, productive, prolific
Near Antonyms of ingenious

imitative, uninspired

infertile, unproductive

talentless
Antonyms of ingenious

uncreative, unimaginative, uninventive, unoriginal
2 showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
  • A chair that can't tip over is quite ingenious.
Synonyms of ingenious

artful, clever, creative, imaginative, innovative, inventive
Words Related to ingenious

adventurous, fresh, groundbreaking, novel, original, visionary

cleverish, gadgety, gimmicky

convenient, handy, neat, nifty, practical, useful

complex, sophisticated

adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, handsome, tricky

brainy, intelligent, sharp, smart
Near Antonyms of ingenious

dull, pedantic, pedestrian, stodgy

assembly-line, canned, cookie-cutter, derivative, hackneyed, unoriginal

impractical, useless
Antonyms of ingenious

uncreative, unimaginative

Synonym Discussion of ingenious

clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.
    • a person clever with horses
adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.
    • an adroit negotiator
cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.
    • a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects
ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.
    • an ingenious software engineer

Learn More about ingenious

  1. Dictionary: Definition of ingenious Spanish Central: Translation of ingenious Nglish: Translation of ingenious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ingenious for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ingenious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games