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

An Israeli strike hit a group of people in the western part of Deir al-Balah, killing a 3-year-old and a man who Israel's military called a Hamas operative. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Brown’s ability to hammer Husted on this issue is alarming Republican operatives, who see a Husted victory as crucial to holding a majority in the Senate. — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Grand is the operative word at this Relais & Châteaux property adjacent to the Pommery champagne house. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

His office in Stanhope and Hoboken serves multiple cities and towns in the greater New Jersey area, and offers remote consultations, clear post-operative instructions, and a willingness to work with various insurance plans. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026