invent

verb

in-ˈvent How to pronounce invent (audio)
Definition of inventnext
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination they invented an explanation for the broken vase that would satisfy their grandmother

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 invent Every civilization invents an image that carries its aspirations. — Raven Smith, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 Tastes have grown drier in the 127 years since it was invented, and the general public, by and large, doesn’t drink dessert cocktails anymore. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 However, actually measuring time down to the second only became possible after Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock in 1657. — Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 In a recent paper in Physical Review X, a team of researchers mathematically investigated knitting to invent a new, more resilient stitch. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invent
  1. devise
  2. concoct
  3. construct
Verb
  • After two months, the parties could reassess Hamas’s behavior and devise a more durable mechanism for delivering aid.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Determined to win her back, Ralph devises a crazy plan involving kidnapping the former child star of his favorite Christmas movie.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of devise
Verb
  • The experimental portion of the brewery allowed guests to concoct their own brews, and more than 700 beers were created over the years, according to the brewery's Facebook post.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The White Sox concocted a creative playing style that blended elements of old-school small ball with home-run power.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of concoct
Verb
  • Dyrholm will star as a woman who is unable to acknowledge and access her own feelings and constructs intimacy by stealing objects from people instead of getting close to them.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Sheerazie, lead gardener at Pasadena’s Arlington Garden, has studied permaculture and designed and constructed a number of swales at the garden and elsewhere.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of construct

Browse Nearby Words

inveigling
invent
invented
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Cite this Entry

“Invent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invent. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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