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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of operative
Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
Almost certainly there are Chinese operatives and military personnel in civilian garb there.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Joshua Stein, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Around the midpoint of the first season, Helen spots Dani (Agnes O'Casey), who is revealed to be a Black Doves operative monitoring Helen’s activities under the instruction of Mrs. Reed.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative 
Noun
This was just the latest in a series of moves—including elevating former Republican operative Joel Kaplan to chief global affairs officer and adding combat-sports promoter Dana White to Meta’s board—that seem to indicate the company is vying to get into the good graces of the new administration.
—Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
Almost certainly there are Chinese operatives and military personnel in civilian garb there.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The disclosures described above don’t include the actual operative lease or loan documents, both of which also seem to multiply into a pile of ever-more separate documents over time, though that pile is often dwarfed by the various disclosures.
—Joshua Stein, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Around the midpoint of the first season, Helen spots Dani (Agnes O'Casey), who is revealed to be a Black Doves operative monitoring Helen’s activities under the instruction of Mrs. Reed.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
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The 10 best books of December include a spy novel, essays by physicist Alan Lightman, and a group biography of four women scientists in Nazi Germany.Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Jan. 2025
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First built to carry cruise missiles, it had since been refurbished as a super-secret underwater spy ship.David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Homicide detectives are investigating deaths at several locations, said Nicole Nishida, communications director for the Sheriff’s Department.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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But then detectives told him a woman matching his wife’s description was found, dead, along the freeway.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Dooley advised SMBs to use customer data to tailor payment options and loyalty programs, ensuring efficient and secure transactions.Gene Marks, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Energy Department funding supported the commercialization of LED lights, which are highly efficient and long-lasting.Margaret E. Kosal, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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By Kent Page Education is one of the most powerful agents of change in the world.UNICEF USA, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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The agent reported hearing Block’s voice in the call, another target of the federal investigation.Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are able to detain him.Ryan Hogg, Fortune Asia, 10 Jan. 2025
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Specifically, the lawsuit names the Santa Fe District Attorney, a special prosecutor, and three investigators from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Despite the harrowing circumstances, employees kept the 88-year-old institution operational throughout the disaster, in some cases putting decades worth of worst-case emergency training to use for the first time.Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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And Illinois put 31% of its COVID-19 money toward operational expenses, nearly three times the average share spent by the other states.David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, online therapy appears to be pretty darn effective and has been endorsed by the American Psychological Association.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
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How To Optimize Health During Wildfires The most effective way to preserve health during wildfires is to stay indoors, and keep windows and doors shut.Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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