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

The vote had faced concerns of possible foreign interference after Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail reported Republican operatives had assisted top separatist leaders with their independence bid. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

At a time when the regime is executing protesters on a daily basis, the killing of certain mid-ranking security and military operatives has been met with some satisfaction among segments of Iranian society. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Indeed, with this work the term shift is operative in every way, framing its status as an artwork both transformational and transformed. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

West had coronary artery disease and died due to a combination of the pre-existing illness and post-operative complications a day after having cosmetic surgery. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026