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
Npr Staff, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
In 2024 Israeli operatives infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain and used shell companies to sell members pagers and walkie-talkies rigged with explosives.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Intent is the operative word that defines genocide.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
The Israeli military accused Shoeib of being a Hezbollah operative, providing no evidence while describing his activities — naming locations of Israeli troops and maintaining contact with Hezbollah militants.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
In 2024 Israeli operatives infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain and used shell companies to sell members pagers and walkie-talkies rigged with explosives.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The long-standing phrase energy transition remains operative for much of the world—though others reject it.
—Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Intent is the operative word that defines genocide.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
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The film, which debuted on Netflix April 1, deploys a deliberately eccentric tone, mixing slapstick, satire and spy-thriller tropes with Das’ irreverent comedic sensibility.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
When spy satellites first captured images of the Zitong network in 1971, US intelligence deemed the sites a gamechanger.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police detectives are investigating two shootings that happened a short time apart in two Pittsburgh neighborhoods located not far from one another.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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After investigating the shooting, Boston Police detectives were able to obtain a warrant for the suspect out of Suffolk County Juvenile Court for several gun charges and armed assault to murder.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 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
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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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An efficient Cabrera issued only one walk and quickly erased the lone hit — a Nolan Schanuel one-out single in the fourth — with a double play from the next hitter.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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The style is refreshingly informal yet efficient, ensuring guests feel warm-and-fuzzy cared-for, without being overfussed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wise served as an FBI agent and a supervisory agent from 2004 to 2017.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The task force, consisting of county detectives and FBI agents, is separate from the initial homicide squad assigned to the case.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Johnson-Swartz began calling and texting in the days that followed, the student told investigators.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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In a related email to Abbott, neonatologist Robert White of Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, and Pediatrix Medical Group — an investigator in the study — explained his concerns.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Arak plant has not been operational since Israel attacked it last June.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Solar customers who had their systems installed under earlier iterations of the tariff still get compensated at the retail rate for 20 years from the time their systems became operational before the new rules affect them.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This one came after Delanie Sheehan penetrated the defense and zipped an effective pass to Ryan, who put the shot on net, but MacIver deflected it out of bounds.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Burkhalter and Warner’s new roles are also effective April 3.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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