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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The invention of personal computers and smartphones shifted the equation entirely, placing the power of media into the hands of nearly everyone.
—
Paul Buccieri,
HollywoodReporter,
2 July 2026
While Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone put out paid-to-the-telegraph boys of old, these roles were soon replaced by legions of telephone operators.
—
Rupert Lee-Browne,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In terms of invention, Ballack was quieter in the knockout stage.
—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press accelerated that possibility.
—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Paul Buccieri,
HollywoodReporter,
2 July 2026
While Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone put out paid-to-the-telegraph boys of old, these roles were soon replaced by legions of telephone operators.
—
Rupert Lee-Browne,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In terms of invention, Ballack was quieter in the knockout stage.
—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press accelerated that possibility.
—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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These economies lose their cheap labor advantage, but don’t have the domestic innovation to create the high-value sectors to compete with wealthier nations.
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Instead of looking only for escapements or technical innovation, Newman encourages appreciation of cases, dials, proportions, engraving, and overall design—the same qualities that define today’s most desirable independent watches.
Noun
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Weir takes readers on an adventure through this science-fiction survival story about a junior high science teacher who wakes up aboard a spaceship with amnesia.
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Crisis and renewal are strictly a matter of marketing now, a fiction that permanently assigns the Democrats the role of technocrats managing national decline while Republicans get to stand for muscular optimism and economic expansion.
Noun
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The beautiful Grace Kelly captured the world's attention and imagination (and still does) for decades, but no one was more enamored by the actress than Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
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No one was worried about screentime, and teachers didn't have to battle phones and short attention spans to capture their students' imaginations.
Noun
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Aguirre removed Quiñones in favor or taller options, but Mexico never recovered from the loss of offensive creativity.
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This is a special week to focus upon your heart’s desires, creativity, and romantic world.
Noun
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In the hands of Gillespie — whose specialty is edgy female-empowerment tales like the Oscar-winning I, Tonya and Cruella as well as the Emmy-winning Hulu series Pam & Tommy — how could the new Supergirl go wrong?
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The final score doesn't tell the tale of this game.
Noun
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There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.
Noun
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But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.
Noun
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Engineers could compare different surface coatings and fabrication methods to identify options that produce the least electrical noise, helping improve the performance of future quantum computers and quantum sensing technologies.
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For Cutcher-Gershenfeld, the lesson extends far beyond fabrication laboratories.
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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