operative

1 being in effective operation the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business Synonyms alive, functional, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational, active, running, workingRelated Words effective, effectual; employable, operable, usable (also useable), viable, workable; performing, producing, productive, serving, useful, yielding; astir, bustling, busy, dynamic, flourishing, humming, roaring, thrivingNear Antonyms deactivated, decommissioned; ineffective, ineffectual, useless; inoperable, unusable, unworkable; arrested, asleep, dormant, fallow, idle, inert, latent, lifeless, nonproductive, quiescent, sleepy, stagnating, unproductive, vegetatingAntonyms broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput (also kaputt), nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative

2 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 effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, effective, potent, productiveRelated Words hyperefficient, ultraefficient; adequate, capable, competent; accomplished, adept, consummate, experienced, expert, masterly, practiced (also practised), proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso; cogent, convincing, killer, sound, striking, telling, valid; active, dynamic; useful, working; applicable, feasible, functional, practicable, practical, realizable, usable (also useable), workableNear Antonyms counterproductive; incapable, incompetent, inexperienced, inexpert, unqualified, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful; abortive, bootless, futile, vain; empty, hollow, idle, pointless, unavailing, unprofitable, unsuccessful; inoperative, worthlessAntonyms fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, unfruitful, unproductive, useless