creative

adjective

krē-ˈā-tiv How to pronounce creative (audio)
Definition of creativenext
1
as in innovative
having the skill and imagination to create new things Thomas Edison's status as perhaps America's greatest creative genius

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing always coming up with creative ways to use hamburger

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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 creative Decades before all of that, though, Kusama was a creative maverick. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Katie Becker, chief creative officer of Arc’teryx, said the brand designs products to perform for the long term. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 The type of space your creative friend who lives in Park Slope would own. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 More than a live music event, Inked & Amped celebrates the independent spirit that fuels local creative communities. — John D. Luerssen, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for creative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creative
  1. innovative
  2. imaginative
  3. inventive
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • This is why counting AI pilots tells us little about whether an organization is becoming more innovative.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Her work brings together fashion, technology and industrial application, with a particular focus on more responsible and innovative approaches to garment finishing.
    — Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Bat is entranced by the instruction manual written in many languages, while Snake finds endless imaginative uses for the box itself.
    — Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Still, for every resourceful, imaginative low-budget success, there is a bungled movie that aspires, if not to quality, then at least to financial viability, but instead achieves legendary ineptitude.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • This was a very inventive opening sequence, but the crowd sat quietly through most of it.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Before that comes a vast and dramatically static stretch of what speculative-fiction circles often call ‘world-building’— a full, inventive, elaborately detailed portrait of Andersen’s vision of the next 19 years of American history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • The renovation took two years, and the sisters are still updating and tweaking the villa with new color schemes and clever offerings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Of course, that always creates opportunities for movies to break through and shine, thanks to clever marketing.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • But with the talented dual-threat QB healthy and a more seasoned Sooners front, the hunch here is that OU will be much improved on offense in 2026.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For the longest time, as an ambassador and protector of American motorsports and one of the most talented drivers to ever sit in a stock car, Denny Hamlin didn’t believe in luck.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

creations
creative
creativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Creative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creative. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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