innovative

adjective

in·​no·​va·​tive ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tiv 

: characterized by, tending to, or introducing innovations

innovatively adverb

innovativeness noun

Synonyms of innovative

• inventive
• creative
• innovational
• imaginative
• talented

Examples of innovative in a Sentence

an innovative approach to the problem

a creative and innovative young designer

Recent Examples on the Web

His innovative play-calling and offensive schemes emphasizing speed put opposing defenses on their heels. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Companies can shrink or expand the workforce, adopt innovative technologies or reconfigure operations within months. —Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

And while the buzz of a debut can attract eyeballs, and sometimes even a sales uplift, ultimately, once the buzz fades, designers today feel unable to be truly innovative and take the kind of creative risks that prompt long-term brand growth. —Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026

The Joke sneaker was reinterpreted with innovative leather treatments. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for innovative

• allocative
• appellative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative
• infiltrative