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
The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
It was given a starring role in the following year’s James Bond film Die Another Day, where, in the movie, the vehicle could supposedly be rendered invisible, perhaps good for a covert operative but a disservice to a model so visually arresting.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
Reuters 6 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
Accommodation is arranged in partner hotels or onsite suites designed to meet post-operative needs, including adjustable beds and tailored dietary menus.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
The other Republican operative offered a similar account.
—The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
It was given a starring role in the following year’s James Bond film Die Another Day, where, in the movie, the vehicle could supposedly be rendered invisible, perhaps good for a covert operative but a disservice to a model so visually arresting.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Budanov, who has survived numerous assassination attempts, began his career as a special forces operative and served in the east after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and its proxies took over Ukraine’s eastern fringes.
—Reuters 6 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
Accommodation is arranged in partner hotels or onsite suites designed to meet post-operative needs, including adjustable beds and tailored dietary menus.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
He was also sanctioned by the European Union in January 2019 following a nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, which the British government said was carried out by GRU agents to poison a former Russian spy.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That unusual role for a spy chief raised additional questions from Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.—
DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Within two years, Torres’ political career was crashing down amid a scandal that surfaced publicly in October 2024 when he was detained and questioned by San Jose detectives.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
De Niro plays a reverend in Los Angeles; Duvall is his homicide-detective brother.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 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
-
The same principles can be used by engineers to develop technical systems that are robust, efficient and adaptable – just like biological solutions often are.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The organization would prefer the use of direct reduction furnaces, which GARD members claim is more efficient than blast furnaces and could be used to create iron for steelmaking in Northwest Indiana.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
He was also sanctioned by the European Union in January 2019 following a nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, which the British government said was carried out by GRU agents to poison a former Russian spy.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Right now, enforcement agents are often using administrative warrants, or internal documents signed by immigration officers that authorize specific arrests but not searches.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Game and Fish investigators requested camera video from homeowners in the areas where poaching activity was known to have occurred.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
According to the subsequent findings of state investigators, Cooke took the child to the basement of her home and placed her in a Pack ‘n Play portable crib for a nap.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
LeBaron Moten, District 60’s deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, or Eduardo Cesario, the deputy superintendent for academic supports and programs, will soon give their recommendations to Superintendent Theresa Plascencia for final consideration.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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PSyn supports that work by helping health plans and employer groups strengthen benefit strategy through education, practical analysis, and operational guidance grounded in real-world pharmacy experience.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The findings dovetail with a spate of romance scammers on social media, particularly Telegram, promoting HELOC fraud as an effective new way to bilk victims out of even more money.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, Dubai Ports World announced Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned from the company effective immediately.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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