op·er·a·tive
ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
1
a
: producing an appropriate effect : efficacious
operative techniques
b
: most significant or essential
the operative word in a phrase
the operative facts
2
: exerting force or influence : operating
an operative statute
3
a
: having to do with physical operations (as of machines)
operative skills
b
: working
an operative craftsman
4
: based on or consisting of an operation
operative dentistry
The disease may require operative treatment.
operatively
adverb
operativeness
noun
: operator: such as
b
: a secret agent
d
: a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest
political operatives
Synonyms
Examples of operative in a Sentence
Adjective
The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.
The telephone system is now fully operative.
If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.
Noun
CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries.
set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The operative question is whether to pave the path for a new generation of smaller, safer, more efficient reactors or do the dumb thing and expect wind, solar and the rest to shoulder a growing electrification load.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
David Ingram, NBC News, 19 June 2024
Brown has touted the need to alleviate economic pressures on families and clamp down on undocumented border crossings -- messages operatives chalked up to a national playbook rather than the specifics that Nevadans might care about in the voting booth this year.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative 
Adjective
This became the operative law in South Carolina after the total ban that the women had opposed narrowly lost in 2023.
—Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The operative question is whether to pave the path for a new generation of smaller, safer, more efficient reactors or do the dumb thing and expect wind, solar and the rest to shoulder a growing electrification load.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
Noun
The episode illustrated the dynamics of the new information ecosystem, in which tech platforms are hesitant to emphasize vetted, factual information during an election year for fear of appearing partisan — even as partisan operatives take advantage of the platforms’ stab at neutrality.
—David Ingram, NBC News, 19 June 2024
Brown has touted the need to alleviate economic pressures on families and clamp down on undocumented border crossings -- messages operatives chalked up to a national playbook rather than the specifics that Nevadans might care about in the voting booth this year.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for operative
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'operative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operative. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operative
1 of 2 adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: producing a normal or desired effect
2
: being in operation
operative
2 of 2 noun1
2
a
: a secret agent : spy
Medical Definition
operative
adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation
operative treatment
operative mortality rates
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