1
as in spies
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
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2
as in detectives
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of operatives
According to Joe Truzman, a senior analyst with the FDD, the Arrow Unit’s membership is drawn from multiple sources in Gaza, including police officers, operatives belonging to the Ministry of Interior’s security branches, fighters belonging to terrorist factions, and civilian volunteers.
—
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In 2010, Israeli operatives were successful in killing a senior Hamas operative in the United Arab Emirates.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
The report also detailed how its AI capabilities were being misused by North Korean operatives who used it to obtain remote jobs at tech companies.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In September 2024, Israel blew up the group’s pagers, causing gruesome injuries as the devices detonated in Hezbollah operatives’ pockets.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Democrats — from donors to operatives and other lawmakers — have taken notice.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
Dozens of senior Hamas military operatives in Gaza had activated mobile devices with Israeli SIM cards, causing a dramatic spike in call traffic.
—Yaakov Katz, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Viktor Yushchenko, a Ukrainian presidential candidate who was poisoned with dioxin during an 2004 election campaign, perhaps by Kremlin operatives.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Genesis Rodriguez, who plays season two’s lioness — elite operatives sent on undercover missions — flew the bird herself.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In 2010, Israeli operatives were successful in killing a senior Hamas operative in the United Arab Emirates.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
The report also detailed how its AI capabilities were being misused by North Korean operatives who used it to obtain remote jobs at tech companies.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In September 2024, Israel blew up the group’s pagers, causing gruesome injuries as the devices detonated in Hezbollah operatives’ pockets.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Democrats — from donors to operatives and other lawmakers — have taken notice.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
Dozens of senior Hamas military operatives in Gaza had activated mobile devices with Israeli SIM cards, causing a dramatic spike in call traffic.
—Yaakov Katz, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Viktor Yushchenko, a Ukrainian presidential candidate who was poisoned with dioxin during an 2004 election campaign, perhaps by Kremlin operatives.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Genesis Rodriguez, who plays season two’s lioness — elite operatives sent on undercover missions — flew the bird herself.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operatives
Noun
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Set during the Great Depression, a Milwaukee detective’s quest to find a Wisconsin cheese heiress lands him in Hungary and on a collision course with history to meet Nazis, spies, and swing musicians in the octogenarian literary giant’s first novel in over a decade.—
Tomi Obaro,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
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The duo plays Emily and Matt, a married pair of ex-CIA spies forced out of retirement and back into the world of espionage after their secret identities are revealed.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Anyone with information regarding the man’s death can contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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During an interview with detectives, Ivers admitted showing his manifesto to library staff.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Paxton’s interest in Paul’s plight was bizarre, obsessive and so far beyond normal operations at the attorney general’s office that the agency’s top officials struggled to convey their concerns during the hourslong meeting with two FBI agents.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The guild was involved with the WGA action in the States and has struck meaningful deals of late with the likes of the BBC, Netflix and the trade body that represents UK agents.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What investigators conclude about Robinson’s motivations may have far-reaching consequences beyond his own criminal case.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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If tax records and documents do not add up, employers and employees may be arrested and detained as investigators sort out who is illegally present in the United States or illegally employing workers.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operatives. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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