1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in operating
being in effective operation
the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
unfortunately, the operative amount of the medication and the lethal amount were too close for it to be used safely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 operative
Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
Elliptic said that relatives of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were linked to the exchange and that sanctioned Revolutionary Guard operatives had used Nobitex.
—Gabe Levin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Aviation is a domain where the operative metaphor of the show—that life is amenable to simulation—can be fully literalized.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
The size and number of operatives abroad of both the Quds Force and the Ministry of Intelligence’s operatives are classified, but estimates put the Ministry of Intelligence at around 30,000 personnel and the Quds Force at anything from 10,000 to 21,000.
—Nakissa Jahanbani, The Conversation, 20 June 2025
Elliptic said that relatives of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were linked to the exchange and that sanctioned Revolutionary Guard operatives had used Nobitex.
—Gabe Levin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
Now that this uncomfortable reality is finally out in the open, though, the operative question becomes: what is Macron's France, and the rest of Europe, actually prepared to do about it?
—Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Aviation is a domain where the operative metaphor of the show—that life is amenable to simulation—can be fully literalized.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
Oh no, the uncles are mini-golfing in Biloxi and spy Mina with Demetrius.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
-
The international community continues to watch closely as tensions simmer and Iran's spy crisis deepens.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
No arrests had been made as an investigation by Calumet Area detectives was underway.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
-
While Murray denied any wrongdoing, he was interviewed by LAPD detectives and his clinic in Texas was searched as part of the ongoing investigation, Murray's lawyer said in a statement.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Oct. 2022
-
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Without an accountant on staff, one of the most efficient ways to handle these responsibilities is by using accounting software.—
Mia Taylor,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
-
Today's dishwashers are much more efficient, using just 3 to 4 gallons of water per load.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Six crew members and a gate agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were taken to the hospital Friday night after inhaling something, according to MEDIC.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
-
In many cases, legacy systems can’t easily accommodate these autonomous agents without substantial reengineering.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Fishy past Two decades ago, federal investigators alleged Marky’s was one of those companies caught in black market dealings.—
Kylie Williams,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
-
State and city fire investigators say the Saddleridge fire began under one of those towers.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
It is expected to be delivered to the navy and become operational in June 2026 after completing tests and evaluations.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Catholic Charities itself did not respond to interview requests as of publication time but has shared financial and operational updates in periodic emails to volunteers and staff and in public blog posts.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children.—
UNICEF USA,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Unlike generics, they’re not approved by the FDA, a federal agency that verifies whether drugs are safe and effective .—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share