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
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In particular, the arrest warrants cite evidence about how some of these campaign operatives were financially compensated.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Whether Iran is weeks, months or years away from being able to test a weapon after the damage inflicted on its program is not the operative question.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
In the sequel, the actress plays Zora Bennett, a mercenary assigned to lead a team of operatives to the very dangerous island research facility from the original Jurassic Park.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In particular, the arrest warrants cite evidence about how some of these campaign operatives were financially compensated.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Hydrotherapy is often used to help conditions like hip or elbow dysplasia, arthritis, spinal injuries, lack of mobility due to old age, obesity, post operative treatment, and ACL injuries.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Whether Iran is weeks, months or years away from being able to test a weapon after the damage inflicted on its program is not the operative question.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
This is in contrast to the National Reconnaissance Office, which owns the US government's fleet of spy satellites.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Aug. 2025
-
But when a series of asteroids hits every major city in the world, including D.C., Will is forced to use his super-secret spy tech to both get his son and daughter to safety and figure out what a league of attacking alien tripods want with the human race — all in the same keystrokes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The boy was later taken into custody at Shawnee High School and questioned by detectives, but was released after police determined he was not involved.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The film stars Smith as a detective in a near-future utopia in which humanity is served by a legion of compliant robots.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The disconnect between operating performance and net income suggests potential one-time gains or non-operating income that may not be sustainable.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The goal was to create a water efficient garden with plants that would thrive in the environment but also be lush and colorful year-round.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The organization as a whole is more efficient, resilient and intelligent.—
Gurdip Singh,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Producer Berman got a call from Washington’s longtime WME agent, Andrew Finkelstein.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The Bee obtained the chart hours after Newsom officially launched his redistricting in Los Angeles, during which immigration agents arrested people outside in a show of force by Border Patrol sector chief Gregory Bovino.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Last week, investigators made a public plea for tips about Le’s whereabouts; that effort appears to have borne fruit, because police said Le was arrested Aug. 11 in Colorado with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information valuable to investigators call detectives at 203-946-6304 or through the department’s anonymous tip-line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite these risks, even if the market is presently undervaluing Eli Lilly's stock due to Novo Nordisk's possible lead in the race for an oral weight-loss pill, the company's strong fundamentals and operational performance indicate ongoing substantial revenue growth.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Our operational milestones during the quarter highlight the success of our network growth strategies both at The CW and NewsNation.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To help increase the chances of a sale, 20 Forbes Business Council members share tips to help leaders ensure a successful business exit, as well as why these strategies are effective.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Italian luxury house Valentino confirmed chief executive officer Jacopo Venturini stepped down earlier this week, SJ’s sister publication WWD reported, after reaching a mutual agreement to terminate his employment and board positions, effective Aug. 13.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share