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
Michtom didn’t bother to patent his invention; the imitators merely spurred interest.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
From the digital creations that power our modern world to the bridges that span these waters, the Bay Area has always been the American cradle of invention.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Author Murray Olderman argued in his book The Pro Quarterback that the modern T Formation came out of the National Recovery Administration in 1933, one of several inventions intended to create excitement and lift the country out of the Depression.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Not to sound lazy, but there are some pretty neat inventions that have come along to make this process much easier.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
From the digital creations that power our modern world to the bridges that span these waters, the Bay Area has always been the American cradle of invention.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Author Murray Olderman argued in his book The Pro Quarterback that the modern T Formation came out of the National Recovery Administration in 1933, one of several inventions intended to create excitement and lift the country out of the Depression.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Not to sound lazy, but there are some pretty neat inventions that have come along to make this process much easier.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
-
With the rise in popularity of the bourbon industry over the past couple of decades, consumers crave innovation and authenticity.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Decades in the making, built by nations, sustained by trust and partnerships, and powered by science, innovation and curiosity.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Other viewers may be left wondering why all of this merits a full-length movie, or at least one that unconvincingly tries to turn fact into fiction.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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For fiction that fails to challenge preexisting views and assumptions is nothing more than idle chatter—small talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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We are limited only by our imagination as to the best use of this wonderful site.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
We are then limited only by our own imagination and ability to create.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, the report highlights growing concern about the impact of AI on timelines and perceptions of creativity.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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In the heart of Berlin, Museum Island unfolds as a grand cultural ensemble where five world-class institutions trace the arc of human creativity from antiquity to the 19th century.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mikaela Shiffrin’s story of redemption is one of the greatest tales of Olympic glory at this year’s Winter Games in Italy.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
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Rarely do these pieces directly echo the two men’s interpersonal drama, but the information adds context to the actors’ enchanting movements, which are backed by gorgeous outfits and striking set design that accentuate the mythical tales being played out.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many systems require special coatings, structural modifications, or complex fabrication steps to make the fibers responsive.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
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And, smaller gold items generally carry higher premiums per gram because fabrication costs don't decrease proportionally with size.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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