ORIGINATIVE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

originative

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tiv

Definition of originative

as in creative

having the skill and imagination to create new things an originative genius whose mark on postmodern architecture can be seen all over the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of originative The impulses, researchers say, activated specific brain waves associated with originative thinking, and people who were buzzed scored significantly higher on a test of creative thought. — Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2015

Recent Examples of Synonyms for originative

Adjective

The Latvian delegation was led by Liene Gulbe, film commissioner and creative industries rep at the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), which administers the national cash rebate.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
The government’s Global Talent program was launched in 2020 and was designed to attract creative workers, including scientists and artists.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

The Moon’s square to inventive Uranus favors experimenting when the original approach hits a snag.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Upon its initial release, the album cemented My Chemical Romance's shift from mainstays of the emo scene to mainstream recognition, becoming one of the most inventive bands of the 21st century.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of inventive

Adjective

The framework enables full-time employees to spend one day a week exploring unconventional, innovative ideas.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Musk has many critics, but Marian Tupy, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, says non-conformists like Musk often lead innovative companies that help drive economic growth.

— Frank Langfitt, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

His attraction to the imaginative genre began at an early age thanks to some cool family friends while growing up in the Big Easy.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Designed for ages 3 to 12, the shiny indoor space is cleverly set up into various imaginative zones, from a plush mediaeval princess castle to a play gym with climbing wall.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of imaginative

Adjective

Except Moe is nice, caring, and talented, while Matt is arrogant, unpleasant, and, at the beginning of the episode, belligerently drunk.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
Casey and his talented team help shepherd television that shapes our culture, stands the test of time, and protects the originality of storytellers.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

originations

originative

originator

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Originative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originative. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of originative

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes