INVENTIVE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

inventive

adjective

in-ˈven-tiv

Definition of inventive

as in innovative

showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing inventive electronic games inventive ways to use leftovers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in creative

having the skill and imagination to create new things an inventive youth, he devised an automatic feeding system for his dog

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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 inventive The proper first response to that news was delight, that one of the most striking tours of all time, now coming to a close, was going to be captured for posterity by a visually inventive filmmaker. — Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 This was a very inventive opening sequence, but the crowd sat quietly through most of it. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Before that comes a vast and dramatically static stretch of what speculative-fiction circles often call ‘world-building’— a full, inventive, elaborately detailed portrait of Andersen’s vision of the next 19 years of American history. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Fiendishly inventive with her talent and person, and proud of even the gnarliest of her Tennessee roots, Parton also represented the South at its very best. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inventive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inventive

Adjective

The mission is part of a broader effort led by USSF to leverage the United States’ innovative commercial space industry to improve the service’s ability to respond to security challenges.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
As a result, the company has developed innovative techniques around drill motors, bit designs — the company uses a polycrystalline diamond compact drill bit — and drilling fluids.

— Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

Mercury opposes imaginative Neptune, bringing plenty of creative energy but less agreement about the details.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
Glen possesses a rare ability to fuse a world-class creative sensibility with sharp strategic thinking, all driven by a genuine love of cinema.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

Both of France’s sons seem to appreciate imaginative play over messing around with action figures, something that makes perfect sense given France’s own love for the arts.

— Marah Eakin, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
One of the great melodists of the rock era taking up bass, however, gave us dozens of richly imaginative and memorable basslines.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of imaginative

Adjective

At the time, Tiafoe was the most talented 10-year-old there, the son of the head maintenance guy, Constant Tiafoe, who had fled civil war in Sierra Leone with his wife.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Business leaders should treat that career growth as an outcome worth producing, not an accidental byproduct of employing talented people.

— Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of talented

Adjective

Then an 81-year-old Phil Rizzuto gets into a car and drives off with third base — an especially clever bit, since Rizzuto, as a broadcaster, was famous for leaving early to beat the traffic across the George Washington Bridge.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
It is treated as a quick fix for automation or a clever add-on that makes existing workflows smoother.

— Tal Dagan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of clever

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“Inventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inventive. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inventive

adjective

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