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

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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

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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 Across three very different American places named for Alexander von Humboldt, this lively, visually inventive documentary explores nature, technology, climate, and the surprising ways our lives remain connected to the world around us. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 The Libra Sun trines inventive Uranus in your daily-life zone, encouraging changes in tools, timing, workflow, or responsibilities. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 From Prada’s reimagining of wardrobe essentials to the inventive layering at Celine and the collision of texture and print at Marni, the season invited us to look twice and consider why and how each element works together. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026 Those constraints helped inspire an inventive restaurant influenced by the Philippines, where David is from. — Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inventive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inventive
  1. innovative
  2. creative
  3. imaginative
  4. talented
  5. clever
Adjective
  • To help smaller, innovative brands get past minimum order quantity barriers, Hyosung combines demand from several partners.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Microsoft makes a big investment, and when the company’s innovative earth-shaking ChatGPT becomes a sensation Altman changes to goals and goes for profit.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Erin Kleinberg, founder of body and fragrance brand Sidia and co-founder of creative agency Métier, built her brand with that discipline in mind.
    — Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to traditional advertising and marketing, out-of-the-box creative strategies and unconventional endeavors are at the core of his mission to get that word out that the once-wayward brand is back.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Expanding on French drama series, Debeurme praised his colleagues and fellow artists presenting audacious, imaginative projects in La Rochelle.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of imaginative
Adjective
  • There’s no more talented quartet of perimeter players on one team than James/Brown/Maxey/Edgecombe.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of talented
Adjective
  • By upgrading synthetic skin from a passive sensor into an energy harvester, the Fudan team offers a clever alternative to deadweight batteries.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Halloween is sneaking up frighteningly fast, which means the window for coming up with a genuinely clever costume is closing at an alarming rate.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of clever

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inventions
inventive
inventiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Inventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inventive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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