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
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Recent Examples of operatives
To complete the task, Rachel needs to bring in a pair of expert extractors, Sid (Cavill) and Bronco (Gyllenhaal), and their team of covert operatives because Manny lives on an island guarded by a private army whose members are locked and loaded with high-tech weaponry.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
There should be no place in our politics for incompetent, opportunistic operatives who violate privacy, betray trust, and prioritize vengeance over decency.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 1 June 2026
With the Democratic National Convention wrapped up, and Michael Dukakis declared the nominee, many advance operatives were on hiatus.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Democratic operatives are well aware of that.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
As The Associated Press reported this month, operatives have already approached Litman to gauge her interest in replacing Martin.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
With their help, Messina Denaro also was able to continue to communicate with, and direct, his Mafia operatives.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
Wofford says South Carolina is known for having an independent streak, prompting some South Carolina Republicans to reject outside political operatives trying to interfere in the state.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 May 2026
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
There should be no place in our politics for incompetent, opportunistic operatives who violate privacy, betray trust, and prioritize vengeance over decency.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 1 June 2026
With the Democratic National Convention wrapped up, and Michael Dukakis declared the nominee, many advance operatives were on hiatus.
—Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Democratic operatives are well aware of that.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
As The Associated Press reported this month, operatives have already approached Litman to gauge her interest in replacing Martin.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
With their help, Messina Denaro also was able to continue to communicate with, and direct, his Mafia operatives.
—CBS News, 28 May 2026
Wofford says South Carolina is known for having an independent streak, prompting some South Carolina Republicans to reject outside political operatives trying to interfere in the state.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operatives
Noun
-
The indictment also alleges that Cuba's intelligence agency tasked a network of spies in Florida with informing on Brothers to the Rescue.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Before the shoot-down, Cuban spies had infiltrated the Brothers to the Rescue group.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Authorities said detectives are still working to identify four teenage boys using surveillance video.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
All four were found with stab wounds, detectives say.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Federal agents and local law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival and assisted with the investigation.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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Hosted by real estate agents and mortgage advisors, this event raises funds for Lyric, a nonprofit that helps LGBTQ+ youth in the Bay Area and features drag performances, cocktails, food, music and more.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
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After returning to the United States, investigators say O’Rourke continued the alleged scam by encouraging friends and family members to organize additional fundraising events on her behalf.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
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His family went without answers for five decades — until genealogy advancements allowed investigators to crack the cold case by linking human remains found at a waste transfer station in Pima County to Sipfle's family, per KVOA and KOLD.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operatives. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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