as in inventor
one who creates or introduces something new
thank goodness for the innovator who thought up the remote control
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Recent Examples of innovator
The Four Seasons has been an innovator in the hotel sleep game, launching its first custom mattress in 1984.
—
Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Alongside other investments, Strober hopes Midi Health’s milestone will invigorate other innovators in women’s health who have faced funding and scalability roadblocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
In the standard Robinson myth of interracial union, Rickey is the progressive innovator—the manager who took the player under his wing and broke the color line of the game.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Now, these young innovators are putting their skills to the test by designing AI bots with real-world applications.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The innovators were led by the Foo Fighters, with The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen on lead vocals as the make-shift unit provided the most creative and revelatory performance of the night.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2026
Financial innovator Olugbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave, described the process at a Semafor Davos panel.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The museum will honor the history, creativity and cultural impact of Black artists and innovators with artist talks, tours, art-making activities, live music and more.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The chance to learn from Harbaugh was important in his decision, but McDaniel also paid his respect to past Chargers coaches Sid Gillman and Don Coryell, two offensive innovators who changed football forever.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Alongside other investments, Strober hopes Midi Health’s milestone will invigorate other innovators in women’s health who have faced funding and scalability roadblocks.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Feb. 2026
In the standard Robinson myth of interracial union, Rickey is the progressive innovator—the manager who took the player under his wing and broke the color line of the game.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Now, these young innovators are putting their skills to the test by designing AI bots with real-world applications.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The innovators were led by the Foo Fighters, with The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen on lead vocals as the make-shift unit provided the most creative and revelatory performance of the night.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2026
Financial innovator Olugbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave, described the process at a Semafor Davos panel.
—Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The museum will honor the history, creativity and cultural impact of Black artists and innovators with artist talks, tours, art-making activities, live music and more.
—Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The chance to learn from Harbaugh was important in his decision, but McDaniel also paid his respect to past Chargers coaches Sid Gillman and Don Coryell, two offensive innovators who changed football forever.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innovator
Noun
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The first, the sewing machine, was created by a selfish and ambitious inventor who wanted all the credit and was willing to fight a war for it.—
Luis Gallo,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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The rescue effort attracted diving experts from all over the world and even the attention of billionaire inventor Elon Musk, who dispatched his own engineering team that brought along a tiny submersible.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For the 2026 reimagining, Fennell worked with costume designer Jacqueline Durran to create dozens of costumes (Cathy alone, played by Margot Robbie, had 50) that were heavily inspired by the extravagant, unselfconscious and campy outfits of the mid-century.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Composer and sound designer Christopher Kriz’s transitional music amplifies Hedda’s restless internal state with electric guitar and drums backed by a relentless, clock-like beat.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innovator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innovator. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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