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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of operative
Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
The Justice Department has already indicted a former Indian operative in the Pannun case—an indictment that an insecure Attorney General Pam Bondi, consumed with silencing Trump’s domestic critics, might let play out.
—Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024
Ollie Barder, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Yet this brief text—plus its still operative amendments, another 3,112 words—underwrites our entire system of government.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative 
Noun
Driving the news: The Israeli Air Force conducted several airstrikes in recent days against Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon but also north of the Litani river.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
The Justice Department has already indicted a former Indian operative in the Pannun case—an indictment that an insecure Attorney General Pam Bondi, consumed with silencing Trump’s domestic critics, might let play out.
—Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Trains being the operative word here, as pretty much all the mecha started out as trains in one way or another.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Yet this brief text—plus its still operative amendments, another 3,112 words—underwrites our entire system of government.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operative
Noun
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Zoom in: Both President Biden and President-elect Trump — and many spies, diplomats and defense officials personally involved in the tumultuous events of the last year — agree that Assad was doomed by the weakening of his allies, Russia and Iran.Barak Ravid, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
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This John and Jane Smith are two lonely strangers who sign up for a mysterious spy agency and get paired together, posing as a married couple.EW.com, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Joseph Kenny, the NYPD's chief of detectives, confirmed Monday that the note is now in the possession of the Altoona Police Department.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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During a Monday news conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said detectives were traveling to Altoona, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, to interview Mangione.James Powel, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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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The terracotta facade also acts as an efficient rainscreen and provides passive heating and cooling.Mark David, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024
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This helps ensure each project is optimally equipped for efficient execution.Kenzie Biggins, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Smirnov’s tenure as a confidential source for the FBI ended in spectacular fashion in February, with a grand jury in L.A. charging him with obstructing justice and lying to federal agents.Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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The money is earmarked for further investment in the technology underpinning the platform – including features such as artificial intelligence agents that support sellers – and to put staff on the ground in its biggest markets, such as the US and the Middle East.David Prosser, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Kenny added that investigators found evidence that Mangione knew of UnitedHealthcare's annual investor conference in New York City.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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Federal investigators began looking into Jafari-Hassad’s operation in 2019.Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Pentagon is also likely to pause military recruitment and operational planning.Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
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The strikes underscore the growing challenges Amazon faces in balancing operational efficiency with increasing worker demands for fair treatment and union recognition.Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Choosing high-end, effective devices can elevate a clinic’s reputation — but incorporating low-quality technologies can have the opposite effect.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
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The foundational infrastructure for effective ESG compliance covers areas like: • Robust data collection and reporting systems to monitor emissions accurately.Ted Kail, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operative. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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