op·er·a·tive
ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
1
a
: producing an appropriate effect : efficacious
operative techniques
b
: most significant or essential
the operative word in a phrase
the operative facts
2
: exerting force or influence : operating
an operative statute
3
a
: having to do with physical operations (as of machines)
operative skills
b
: working
an operative craftsman
4
: based on or consisting of an operation
operative dentistry
The disease may require operative treatment.
operatively
adverb
operativeness
noun
: operator: such as
b
: a secret agent
d
: a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest
political operatives
Synonyms
Examples of operative in a Sentence
Adjective
The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.
The telephone system is now fully operative.
If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.
Noun
CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries.
set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The court announced only the introductory and operative parts of the verdict, Meduza reported.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Tara Copp, arkansasonline.com, 2 Feb. 2025
In a statement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the strikes targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis mountains occurred in coordination with the Somali government.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for operative 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
The Star called a phone number for Oliver listed in court documents, but the line was no longer operative.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The court announced only the introductory and operative parts of the verdict, Meduza reported.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
Saturday's operation followed military airstrikes on Jan. 30 in northwest Syria, killing a senior operative in Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaida affiliate, U.S. Central Command said.
—Tara Copp, arkansasonline.com, 2 Feb. 2025
In a statement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the strikes targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the Golis mountains occurred in coordination with the Somali government.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for operative
Dictionary Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operative. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operative
1 of 2 adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: producing a normal or desired effect
2
: being in operation
operative
2 of 2 noun1
2
a
: a secret agent : spy
Medical Definition
operative
adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation
operative treatment
operative mortality rates
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