innovative

adjective

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tiv How to pronounce innovative (audio)
Definition of innovativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an award for the most innovative designer of consumer electronics

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing innovative automotive technology

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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 innovative In total, Chinese companies occupy six of the 10 spots for the most innovative humanoid robotics startups in the world, according to the report. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 The challenge facing higher education is not whether universities are innovative. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Even in these early stages, the project is generating praise, winning the Silver at this year's World Habitat Awards for innovative and sustainable housing projects. — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 The Food and Drug Administration has opportunities today with new leadership to modernize, including the utilization of innovative trial designs and tools so the United States continues to lead the world in rare disease drug development. — Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for innovative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innovative
  1. inventive
  2. imaginative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • Skua has deservedly earned a stellar reputation for its moody interiors, inventive sharing plates (like the market fish, baby fennel, horseradish, and brassica leaves course) and selection of natural wines.
    — Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The responses were practical, personal and inventive — shaped by childhoods without AC, long workdays outdoors and family traditions passed down through generations.
    — Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Their sets feature cool jumps, monstrous obstacles and cityscapes that expand on the iconic orange track, and each is aimed at inspiring creativity and imaginative play.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
  • The other, more imaginative name the team had dreamed up was BlackBerry.
    — HubSpot, HubSpot, 31 July 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • Food is creative and generally healthful, with plenty of veggie-forward options and lots of flavor.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • One such injury to Odegaard (knee) half an hour into a home win against West Ham in October halted Arteta’s experimentation with a more creative midfield setup of him and Eberechi Eze ahead of Rice.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, spouses, partners and close friends will see you as bright, clever and interesting.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Goode actually does something clever as Monsters of God begins.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Valentino Giovanni Luchin is a man in his 60s with two wildly different legacies — he is known as a talented, hardworking Italian chef and an inept bank robber.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Or talented people are placed on an initiative that is underfunded, poorly defined or no longer important.
    — Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of talented

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Cite this Entry

“Innovative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innovative. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of innovative for Spanish Speakers

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