innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈi-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce innovate (audio)
innovated; innovating
Synonyms of innovate

intransitive verb

: to make changes : do something in a new way

transitive verb

1
: to introduce as or as if new
2
archaic : to effect a change in
The dictates of my father were … not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed …—Sir Walter Scott
innovator
ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce innovate (audio)
noun
innovatory
ˈi-nə-və-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce innovate (audio)
ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tə-rē
adjective

Synonyms of innovate

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Examples of innovate in a Sentence

The company plans to continue innovating and experimenting. The company innovated a new operating system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Part of that strategy is to connect with younger consumers, hence a recent partnership with 21-year-old livestreamer iShowSpeed along with innovating with menu items, branding, and store layout. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Laika has been around for just over 20 years, and over the course of each film the studio has innovated to steadily push its craft forward. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2026 The perfume house, though, is still looking for ways to innovate. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Watch the Building America series exploring how the country builds, innovates and manufactures heading into the future. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innovate

Word History

Etymology

Latin innovatus, past participle of innovare, from in- + novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of innovate was in 1548

Rhymes for innovate

See All Rhymes for innovate

Browse Nearby Words

innovant
innovate
innovation
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Cite this Entry

“Innovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

innovate

verb
in·​no·​vate ˈin-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce innovate (audio)
innovated; innovating
: to introduce something new
innovate a new website
: do something in a new way
innovative
-ˌvāt-iv
adjective
innovator
-ˌvāt-ər How to pronounce innovate (audio)
noun
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