1
as in innovation
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
his clever invention made people's lives easier
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination
unsurprisingly, the story about being kidnapped by aliens was pure invention
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3
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
a writer with great invention, she is able to create on the page worlds that don't exist but certainly seem like they could
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4
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
a person of seemingly endless invention, Thomas Edison held a world-record 1,093 patents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invention
The iconic Blizzard Treat began satisfying taste buds after its invention by Samuel Temperato in 1985.
—
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 1 Aug. 2025
Tim’s dark family secret feels more like a gruesome invention purely for ambiance.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
The present is the grand and majestic age of mechanical invention.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
Even Siri isn’t an Apple invention – the company bought it from Stanford Research International (SRI).
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 1 Aug. 2025
Tim’s dark family secret feels more like a gruesome invention purely for ambiance.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
The present is the grand and majestic age of mechanical invention.
—Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025
Even Siri isn’t an Apple invention – the company bought it from Stanford Research International (SRI).
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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These are on top of images and videos published last week that highlight the Pixel’s folding phones and nodding towards the innovation in the Android platform that is missing in other platforms.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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The agency focuses on developing creative industries while promoting the integration of creativity and innovation into production to enhance the value of goods, services and cultural capital.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The extended edit period, along with reshoots, meant that things in the real world changed during the work on the film, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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This kind of data delusion and fact fiction is, on the one hand, very sad, the mark of a man too fragile, impotent and incompetent to accept reality or withstand criticism.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Moss designed the whimsical room with warm colors and materials to help invite imagination.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
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Visit, relax, unwind, and allow your mind and imagination to enjoy and explore the beauty of this world-class institution.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Professionals who thrive will combine in-demand technical skills with human qualities such as creativity, empathy and critical thinking—abilities that artificial intelligence still can’t fully replicate.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Through global disruptions, shifting audience behaviors, and major industry evolution, your perseverance and creativity never wavered.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
11 Aug. 2025
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The two met in secret, and some versions of the story suggest their love lives on only in death, much like the Western tale of Romeo and Juliet.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The official story told by official sources, the story we’ve been trained to trust, is often a distortion, or a downright fabrication.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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Sheer voile and organza fabrications give an airy feel and transparent look to a wide range of silhouettes, CottonWorks stated.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ford aims to compete with Chinese automakers through ingenuity and efficiency, not by lowering labor costs.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Finding studio apartment ideas that’ll work for you may require a bit of extra ingenuity, planning, and editing, but a stylish and functional end result is absolutely possible—and well worth the extra effort.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Architectural Digest,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The film is a modern adaptation of which classic science fiction novel?—
Sarah Whitmire,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The novel will hit bookshelves next winter, and in the meantime, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal its cover.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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