Synonyms of operative

operative 1 of 2

noun

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

• spy
• agent
• undercover
• mole
• undercover agent
• emissary
• asset
• secret agent
• informer
• spook
• intelligencer
• courier
• sleeper
• double agent
• infiltrator
• counterspy
• stool pigeon
• spymaster
• superspy

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

• detective
• investigator
• sleuth
• private detective
• private eye
• private investigator
• dick
• gumshoe
• sleuthhound
• tracer
• shamus
• hawkshaw
• tracker
• sherlock
• Federal
• tail
• fed
• narc
• shadow
• plainclothesman
• G-man

operative

2 of 2

adjective

ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 

1

as in operating

being in effective operation

the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operating
• operational
• functioning
• operable
• active
• functional
• running
• working
• going
• on
• in force
• alive
• live
• in commission
• living
• effective
• on line
• viable
• effectual
• in gear
• useful
• employable
• producing
• usable
• performing
• serving
• dynamic
• workable
• flourishing
• productive
• busy
• yielding
• humming
• thriving
• bustling
• astir
• roaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inoperative
• nonoperative
• dead
• inactive
• broken
• nonfunctional
• nonfunctioning
• nonoperational
• ineffective
• useless
• ineffectual
• nonoperating
• nonactivated
• kaput
• deactivated
• inoperable
• latent
• arrested
• decommissioned
• unworkable
• unusable
• idle
• inert
• dormant
• quiescent
• unproductive
• sleepy
• fallow
• lifeless
• nonproductive
• asleep
• stagnating
• vegetating

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

• efficient
• effective
• productive
• potent
• adequate
• efficacious
• effectual
• fruitful
• useful
• capable
• skilled
• expert
• practiced
• practical
• proficient
• adept
• competent
• convincing
• veteran
• experienced
• skillful
• dynamic
• active
• valid
• cogent
• feasible
• accomplished
• telling
• striking
• practicable
• masterly
• ultraefficient
• hyperefficient
• functional
• killer
• realizable
• consummate
• sound
• versed
• working
• applicable
• usable
• virtuoso
• workable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• useless
• ineffective
• inoperative
• inefficient
• ineffectual
• unproductive
• fruitless
• incapable
• incompetent
• counterproductive
• inexperienced
• unskilled
• unqualified
• vain
• futile
• unfruitful
• unsuccessful
• abortive
• idle
• hollow
• empty
• inoperative
• unprofitable
• pointless
• worthless
• inexpert
• unskillful
• unseasoned
• bootless
• unavailing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of operative

Noun

Unbeknownst to him, the bottle contained the same nerve agent investigators believe Russian operatives had used three months earlier to poison a former spy in nearby Salisbury. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Still, at least one campaign operative — who is listed in FEC records — was able to trade on a race they were involved in, despite Kalshi's new monitoring program. — Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 July 2026

Adjective

In 2022, with a release clause in his contract becoming operative, Haaland was heavily recruited by other clubs, including Manchester City FC, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 2026

The above scenarios are all post-operative timelines, but not all hamstring injuries are treated surgically. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 10 June 2026