1
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in operating
being in effective operation
the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
unfortunately, the operative amount of the medication and the lethal amount were too close for it to be used safely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of operative
Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Its operatives exist in the shadows, doing unsavory work behind the scenes so that James T Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, Kathryn Janeway, and other Starfleet captains can carry out their day jobs without getting their hands too dirty.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Roger Valdez, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
State law — rising from a 2018 ballot measure — sets the effective date of ballot measures at five days after the secretary of state certifies the election result (although some measures may lay out later dates to become operative, often the first of the year).
—Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative 
Noun
The January 6th rioters’ grievances, which are tethered to an alternate reality of deep-state operatives and political persecution, are the same that have shaped Patel’s through-the-looking-glass version of events of the past ten years.
—Tess Owen, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Its operatives exist in the shadows, doing unsavory work behind the scenes so that James T Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, Kathryn Janeway, and other Starfleet captains can carry out their day jobs without getting their hands too dirty.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Political subdivisions may, in place of such standards, enact municipal health and safety standards to be operative during the housing emergency consistent with ensuring minimal public health and safety.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
State law — rising from a 2018 ballot measure — sets the effective date of ballot measures at five days after the secretary of state certifies the election result (although some measures may lay out later dates to become operative, often the first of the year).
—Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
-
Marianne Faithfull's father was once a spy; her mother a pence-less baroness.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Wanting to sacrifice the former sacrifice No, most parents aren't former spies, but having to choose between work and parenting is a struggle many can relate to.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or through the TIPS hotline anonymously at (816) 474- TIPS.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Believing Qin Fu to be the world famous detective, Bai senior implores the young medical student to take the case.—
James Marsh,
Deadline,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Oct. 2022
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The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
LaVine gives the Kings a 24-point-per-night scorer in the midst of one of his most efficient seasons.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Buying a mattress online is easy and efficient—a box comes to you with no need for a truck or professional movers.—
Molly Higgins,
WIRED,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The agents also argued more indie films are being packaged and pre-sold to distributors outside of the festival, with Sundance chasing more true discoveries and a slate that leans very indie.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Murphy died Sunday of cancer at his home in Kent, England, his agent, Thomas Bowington, announced.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At Diaz’s home, investigators reportedly found 90 rounds of ammunition.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Crash investigators are not blaming the air traffic controller directing the traffic, who advised the helicopter to be aware of the regional jet’s position in the area ahead of the crash.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That could, analysts said, start a price war for AI services, potentially pressuring tech companies such as OpenAI that are already losing billions of dollars each year due to the high operational costs of running services such as ChatGPT.—
Aditya Soni and Zaheer Kachwala,
USA TODAY,
30 Jan. 2025
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The base, which occupies 45 square miles, serves as an operational and logistical hub in the region, supporting a variety of missions including maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and joint operations.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Ministry of Commerce and China’s customs administration also announced new export controls effective immediately on more than two dozen metal products and related technologies.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
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Its exceptional range and unparalleled accuracy allow for effective engagement of enemy outposts, battle zones, and rear areas.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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