inventive

adjective

in-ˈven-tiv How to pronounce inventive (audio)
Definition of inventivenext
1
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing inventive electronic games inventive ways to use leftovers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in creative
having the skill and imagination to create new things an inventive youth, he devised an automatic feeding system for his dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 inventive Reilly works at the intersection of props and food, creating inventive and often unconventional culinary elements for the screen. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 The opening menu is set to feature various inventive dishes, such as Spicy Tuna Dip (made with sesame and avocado served with nori tapioca chips) and Heritage Half Chicken (served with sansho pepper, pickled daikon and a shiso return). — Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Those scares are best exemplified by the film’s most inventive setpiece, where Gemma gets lost in an endless pillow fort filled with baddies around every corner. — William Earl, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Texas barbecue is typically defined by salt-and-pepper brisket and pork ribs, but this new crop of halal pitmasters are adding inventive twists, often based on their own family heritages. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inventive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inventive
  1. innovative
  2. creative
  3. imaginative
  4. talented
  5. clever
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
  • Adding to the resort’s already extensive list of experiences—ranging from creative expression, fitness, and integrative wellbeing to outdoor adventure, yoga, and nourishment—are several new offerings.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of creative
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
  • 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
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

Browse Nearby Words

inventions
inventive
inventiveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inventive. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All