1
as in spies
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
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2
as in detectives
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of operatives
Earle-Sears’s blowout even stunned veteran operatives accustomed to Virginia’s blue tilt.
—
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
A lot of these operatives are operating from civilian areas.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Seasoned political operatives and experienced business executives Steve Silverman and Carrie Goux will lead the Washington office.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
For months, New Jersey’s 2025 governor’s race was considered sleepy political theater—the kind expected to reaffirm the state’s blue credentials before national operatives move on.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Californians, of course, are casting their ballots already on Proposition 50, which will set aside the congressional maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission in favor of a gerrymandered map drawn up by Democratic political operatives for the advantage of the Democrats.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether that means New Berlin will reach out to business operatives to fill the space to be vacated by Wausau Equipment isn't certain.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Only weeks later, on September 11, al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four passenger planes and carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in modern history, killing nearly 3,000 people.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
A lot of these operatives are operating from civilian areas.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Seasoned political operatives and experienced business executives Steve Silverman and Carrie Goux will lead the Washington office.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
For months, New Jersey’s 2025 governor’s race was considered sleepy political theater—the kind expected to reaffirm the state’s blue credentials before national operatives move on.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Californians, of course, are casting their ballots already on Proposition 50, which will set aside the congressional maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission in favor of a gerrymandered map drawn up by Democratic political operatives for the advantage of the Democrats.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Whether that means New Berlin will reach out to business operatives to fill the space to be vacated by Wausau Equipment isn't certain.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Only weeks later, on September 11, al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four passenger planes and carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in modern history, killing nearly 3,000 people.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operatives
Noun
-
We were supposed to be spies with hats.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The events occurred in and around the lawless border of Venezuela and Colombia, where spies, smugglers and gun runners rub shoulders and distrust their own shadow.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
California detectives alerted Miami Gardens Police, and law enforcement from several agencies began assembling to arrest Clayton.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Polls show that economic impacts are driving the voting bloc the most and Latino businesses across the country, from Miami to Los Angeles, are seeing a drop in foot traffic because of ICE agents targeting their communities.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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But in 1991, federal agents charged him with lying and continuing to traffic drugs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Fox wasn't interviewed at the time, Smyth said, adding that investigators at first focused on a dispute between Jackson and his landlord.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The driver immediately stopped, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operatives. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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