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
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In particular, the arrest warrants cite evidence about how some of these campaign operatives were financially compensated.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Whether Iran is weeks, months or years away from being able to test a weapon after the damage inflicted on its program is not the operative question.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Noun
In the sequel, the actress plays Zora Bennett, a mercenary assigned to lead a team of operatives to the very dangerous island research facility from the original Jurassic Park.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In particular, the arrest warrants cite evidence about how some of these campaign operatives were financially compensated.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Hydrotherapy is often used to help conditions like hip or elbow dysplasia, arthritis, spinal injuries, lack of mobility due to old age, obesity, post operative treatment, and ACL injuries.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Whether Iran is weeks, months or years away from being able to test a weapon after the damage inflicted on its program is not the operative question.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
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Set in 1964, the story is chronologically the first in the series, following Snake’s ascension to legendary solder/spy status before taking a more villainous turn in the original Metal Gear (1987).—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
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However, once fans clicked on the link, they were taken to a moving image suggesting that an IMF spy radio is relaying a message.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The boy was later taken into custody at Shawnee High School and questioned by detectives, but was released after police determined he was not involved.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
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The film stars Smith as a detective in a near-future utopia in which humanity is served by a legion of compliant robots.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The disconnect between operating performance and net income suggests potential one-time gains or non-operating income that may not be sustainable.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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The goal was to create a water efficient garden with plants that would thrive in the environment but also be lush and colorful year-round.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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The organization as a whole is more efficient, resilient and intelligent.—
Gurdip Singh,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Producer Berman got a call from Washington’s longtime WME agent, Andrew Finkelstein.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Bee obtained the chart hours after Newsom officially launched his redistricting in Los Angeles, during which immigration agents arrested people outside in a show of force by Border Patrol sector chief Gregory Bovino.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After working with a local towing company to remove the car from the water, investigators then matched the car’s vehicle identification number to Roy Benn, who went missing in September 1967, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.—
Gordon Ebanks,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information valuable to investigators call detectives at 203-946-6304 or through the department’s anonymous tip-line at 866-888-TIPS (8477).—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the system has previously suffered delays to getting back on track, MIA’s Chin now says the fourth station will open and Skytrain will be fully operational by mid-September 2025.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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Although many events have struggled due to mounting talent and operational costs, changing ticket buying behaviour, climate change and other factors, Untitled Group and its flagship fest BTV this year celebrate their tenth anniversary.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Indian Independence Act was effective at midnight, while Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on Aug. 14.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The truth is, initial vaccines and booster doses have been shown to be very effective against reducing infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.—
Simon Williams,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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