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
Steve Peoples, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026
Once a loyal Republican and McCain campaign operative, her transformation to anti-Trump voice was spurred by personal experiences that have shaped her point of view.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
But the operative word is delayed, not destroyed.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
And Democratic operatives have begun informal discussions about recruiting a new chair, even as most believe that Martin’s job isn’t in serious jeopardy ahead of the midterm elections.
—Steve Peoples, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026
Once a loyal Republican and McCain campaign operative, her transformation to anti-Trump voice was spurred by personal experiences that have shaped her point of view.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Adjective
Lara’s pre-operative test results were abnormal, and revealed clear signs of keratoconus, making LASIK unsuitable.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
But the operative word is delayed, not destroyed.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
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Marrakchi, who has also directed episodes of such TV series as French spy thriller The Bureau and Damien Chazelle’s The Eddy, returns to Cannes’ Un Certain Regard program, where her 2005 feature debut Marock, about a Muslim-Jewish romance in Casablanca, also premiered.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Cuban officials later confirmed the spy director's visit in an official statement.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Guy Ritchie directed both Sherlock Holmes films, which starred Jude Law as the titular detective's sidekick Watson.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
Her detective Lord Peter Wimsey was usually to be found in the upper-class households and clubs that defined a certain strata of English society in the 1920s and 1930s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.—
Rachel Nostrant,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
Adjective
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But while this type of approach can be a smart route to take, throwing sponsorship money at every job listing generally isn't an effective or efficient strategy.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
High gas prices are leading American drivers to seek more fuel-efficient vehicles.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The debate also reflected the broader political moment, with several candidates positioning themselves either as defenders of California’s current direction or as agents of course correction on public safety, cost of living, and trust in government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Though many people come to far West Texas for its isolation—the Unabomber’s slightly less reclusive brother did a stint here in the eighties, living at first in a crude underground shelter—Miller said that immigration-enforcement agents have been an intrusive presence for many years.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
On Thursday, investigators searched a property on Blackie Road in Prunedale, where detectives found a skid steer, forklift and four-stall luxury restroom trailer, each reported stolen from a Salinas rental construction business in November 2025, the office said.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
At the time the alert system was activated, investigators believed the kids were in extreme danger, ABC affiliate WJCL reported.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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However, since’s Duffy’s 2025 declarations, both Blue Origin and SpaceX have announced operational changes aimed at demonstrating their commitment to NASA’s moon plans.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
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Mussio said the company is asking for the tax abatement to reduce some of the facility’s operational costs early on as it gets established.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The ordinance also banned possession of automatic weapons, overriding a newly effective state law that allowed it.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Thankfully, one of the most effective ways to clean a faucet head involves no more than a little white vinegar and some household tools.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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