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Definitions

inventive

[in-ven-tiv] / ɪnˈvɛn tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
creative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gifted imaginative ingenious innovative original resourceful
WEAK
adroit artistic avant-garde breaking new ground causative constructive demiurgic deviceful fertile forgetive formative fruitful innovational innovatory inspired originative poetical productive teeming
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull inept old uncreative unimaginative unresourceful
WEAK
stolen uninventive unoriginal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s rich, layered, and more inventive than the usual.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The left-hander played inventive scoops, powerful drives and elegant flicks and when he departed the stage the crowd rose to him.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Critics alleged that the team once known for inventive, free-flowing soccer had become coldly clinical.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Andie’s disorganized but inventive, and that’s exactly the way she likes it.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Some years ago I knew a gay and inventive family from Idaho.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.