1
as in innovation
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
his clever invention made people's lives easier
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2
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination
unsurprisingly, the story about being kidnapped by aliens was pure invention
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3
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
a writer with great invention, she is able to create on the page worlds that don't exist but certainly seem like they could
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4
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
a person of seemingly endless invention, Thomas Edison held a world-record 1,093 patents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invention
As a nod to the city's achievement of the invention of the first commercially-successful typewriter, Thompson plans for guests to be able to enter the building by entering their reservation code into a typewriter.
—
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Pain is the mother of invention.
—Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
In a decade that some critics believe has a shortage of newness and invention, slop is one of the few frontiers that’s actively being pushed.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Was that new version based more on research or invention?
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Pain is the mother of invention.
—Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
In a decade that some critics believe has a shortage of newness and invention, slop is one of the few frontiers that’s actively being pushed.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Was that new version based more on research or invention?
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
-
The Global South's innovation ecosystem shows us that technology can emerge from and serve local needs.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
There are bold new innovations, like a setting spray that’s basically a finishing powder in a bottle, and a three-in-one foundation stick that also hydrates and primes.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Good historians and talented fiction writers can tease out human qualities from such personages while acknowledging their fundamental distance from our own time.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
People feel free to throw out the first, poorly-thought-out, vacuous reaction to any news story — whether based in fact or fiction, and regardless of negative consequences.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Governments, investors, and operators must align on a broader, more modern definition of infrastructure—and act together with urgency and imagination.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In an atmosphere of repression and fear, these women discover courage, solidarity, and the power of imagination through the simple transformative act of reading together.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kensington Grey kicked off New York Fashion Week in style with its KG Afties NYFW event, spotlighting Black fashion influencers who continue to shape culture and creativity in the industry.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
As the demographics reverse, smaller labor pools are available and more creativity is needed by employers to build a team.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Arias weaves a lovely tale of unrequited love that isn’t as unrequited in this sapphic, slow-burn romance that also touches on weighty topics, including divorce and grief.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The tell-tale signs continued to add up.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sheer fabrications have taken off this year, and these scarf-detail tops are an easy way to add interest and color all at once.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This is reportedly the first quantum computer to be built using the standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip fabrication process which is the same transistor technology used in conventional computers.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Not only highlighting the ingenuity of Purdy’s design sensibility, the initiative draws attention to the depth of talent found within the region and how, through collaboration, it can be applied and accessed on an international stage.—
Roddy Clarke,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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But the pursuit itself underscores the ingenuity of modern physics.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There's also a full-length novel connected to Raquel's story called Raquel Saves the Wedding, which will be available in November.—
Staff Author,
Parents,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The novel really shows the texture of their life.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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