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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Energy Department funding supported the commercialization of LED lights, which are highly efficient and long-lasting.Margaret E. Kosal, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2025
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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
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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Celebrity real estate agent Jason Oppenheim is offering his services to help those who have been displaced by the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.Charna Flam, People.com, 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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The 30 Rock star filed a civil lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators from his previous criminal manslaughter trial in Santa Fe on Thursday.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Tokyo Metro has been actively involved in projects in London, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila, focusing on human resource development and operational support.Ankit Mishra, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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Thousands of calls to the hotline are being abandoned each month as the state faces a surge in demand but lacks the necessary resources to maintain a fully operational crisis intervention system.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Hoffman's slider was so effective that day, Harper reportedly wondered aloud why Hoffman wasn't pitching out of the Phillies' bullpen.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
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Trapping is most effective during late winter to early spring.The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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 18 Jan. 2025.
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