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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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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Recent Examples of invention
Likewise, Lenin’s invention of the one-party police state as a way to make Marx’s idea work is hardly less momentous.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2025
Facilitating mankind’s victory has been an invention that allows flesh-and-blood soldiers to control mechanized drone bodies with half their minds while the other halves enjoy, say, margaritas on a digital beach.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The dumb gags in Caveman are nearly as ingenious as the invention of fire: Atouk and Lar figure out the secret to walking upright by cracking each other’s backs—who knew?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Obviously, that is a 20th century invention, and earlier presidents had no access to such technology.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2025
Facilitating mankind’s victory has been an invention that allows flesh-and-blood soldiers to control mechanized drone bodies with half their minds while the other halves enjoy, say, margaritas on a digital beach.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The dumb gags in Caveman are nearly as ingenious as the invention of fire: Atouk and Lar figure out the secret to walking upright by cracking each other’s backs—who knew?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Obviously, that is a 20th century invention, and earlier presidents had no access to such technology.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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Are there new innovations to be found in marketing and building a more active booster community?—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2025
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The risk is that this policy could stifle innovation and creativity, which thrive in diverse environments.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This all reads like an exciting piece of fiction involving a legendary object, hidden away and guarded by strange forces.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Beguiling blends of fiction and nonfiction are the highlights of this year’s edition of the New Directors/New Films series, at Film at Lincoln Center and MOMA, April 2-13.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Mercury in Pisces is a completely different vibe — one that pulls us away from the hard facts and into the realms of intuition, imagination and spirituality.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, your imagination and feelings of sympathy are heightened, which makes this an excellent day for working in the arts or in counseling fields.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The result is a space where art has been successfully imbedded into everyday life, a seamless integration where the public easily encounters creativity while artists profit from passing footfall.—
Nina-Sophia Miralles,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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This global reach extends to events, talks, exhibitions, and portfolio reviews, fostering creativity and diversity in image-making.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The six-part podcast series unravels the twisted tale of Stover, his ex-wife, the heiress, and the bodyguard.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The romance drama is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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No matter your favorite fabrication—woven leather, fishnet, solid mesh, jelly netting—you’ll find an option on super-sale for Amazon’s big event.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2025
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Scoop up the latest styles, including the Italian fashion house’s spin on the 530 sneaker, with a fresh, suede fabrication and colorful laces in a slim runner shape, or the playful mule, slide hybrid design.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such as participating in games that required social skills mixed in with ingenuity, sprinkled with a dose of luck.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2025
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There are countless examples of Black ingenuity and cultural impact that have gone under-recognized—or intentionally obscured—as part of this country’s history, but Julian Francis Abele was a hidden figure somewhat by design.—
Evan Nicole Brown,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The novel is set in 1970s Dublin, when all forms of contraception were outlawed.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2025
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Articles described Gramercy as being lifted from an Edith Wharton novel and baronial in scale.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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