imaginative

adjective

i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv How to pronounce imaginative (audio)
Definition of imaginativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of imaginative Dishes such as beef mantou, its interpretation of the Chinese hamburger, thousand-year-old egg and ricotta, passion fruit fish maw noodles, and a generous offering of spicy Yakitori skewers, sums up its imaginative and bold offerings. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Her solo stage program was made from a highly imaginative, eclectic selection of traditional pan-Asian references, poses, and gestures. — Thomas Patier, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2026 From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike. — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Expanding on French drama series, Debeurme praised his colleagues and fellow artists presenting audacious, imaginative projects in La Rochelle. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
  1. inventive
  2. innovative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • The restaurant is flanked by a bar serving inventive cocktails inspired by the Far Eastern heritage in the use of aromatic herbs.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Cornbread, barbecue chicken, grits and seasonal market vegetables now showcase Brock’s inventive, soulful cooking — and have brought diners back to the restaurant.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • During a half-hour speech, von Furstenberg reflected on major career milestones, like her first meeting with Diana Vreeland in 1970 and later being featured on the March 1976 cover of Newsweek in her innovative wrap dress.
    — Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • The factor that seems to unite everyone is a sense of repetition—no matter the style, writers will play the same songs over and over again to reach a kind of creative trance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Those of us in the creative world have to embrace all the ups and downs, and the rights and the wrongs.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • The elaborate, experiential drinks are presented on trays or pedestals alongside clever fixings.
    — Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • From time-saving kitchen gadgets and food warmers to festive serving platters, Thanksgiving table decorations and clever ways to store leftovers, there are plenty of products that can help make the holiday feel a little less stressful.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Now, the two talented performers are, once again, setting the internet on fire.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Waterstones had previously churned through young employees, so Daunt set up six major promotion points, with salary increases at each, allowing the most talented booksellers to grow across a full career.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

imagination
imaginative
imaginativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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