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
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Recent Examples of operative
Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Somalia, targeted multiple times in a campaign against Islamic State operatives, has been struck 168 times, according to New America, a nonprofit group that has tracked the military campaign.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Seems is the operative word here.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
Domestic law enforcement remains particularly vigilant for Iranian sleeper cells, lone actors and clandestine operatives living in our cities and towns under the radar.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Somalia, targeted multiple times in a campaign against Islamic State operatives, has been struck 168 times, according to New America, a nonprofit group that has tracked the military campaign.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Supporting them is a multilingual team that assists patients throughout the entire journey, from start to finish, from consultation to post-operative care.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Seems is the operative word here.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
According to our spy photographer, these are indeed a Maserati Gran Cabrio Folgore and Gran Turismo Trofeo as their respective exterior treatments imply.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The English actor was a relatively unknown commodity on this side of the pond but became a brilliant revelation for his role in the Cold War thriller as a quiet, older Brooklyn man arrested for being a Soviet spy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The detective recalled a 2023 killing in North Hollywood that started when a pedestrian carrying grocery bags got into an argument with a motorist whose truck blocked the sidewalk.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call KCPD homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
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
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Although high gas prices historically spur demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, production cuts may prevent buyers from switching to EVs despite rising pump costs.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The companies aim to explore whether nuclear energy can provide a reliable and efficient power source for long-distance maritime transport.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The partnership formed only after Wimbledon, arranged through Tien’s agent, despite the two having lived in the same Southern California tennis orbit for years without ever meeting.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Bruising drops in software company stocks this year have left investors struggling to discern which firms will be least and most affected by competition from AI agents.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Between February 27 and March 2, the investigators found and arrested four suspects.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In plain terms, investigators have been told to file paperwork and wait in line.—
Vaughn Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Winners Alliance did not control GST’s board, did not direct GST’s operational decisions, and did not instruct GST on whether, when, or how to stage events.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Maintaining operational compatibility across both submarine generations is intended to preserve continuity within the United States’ nuclear triad as the fleet evolves, reports Army Recognition.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Several Ukrainian firms have already fielded effective systems.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
One is that the United States is blessed with the most professional and effective military in the world.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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