1
as in innovation
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
his clever invention made people's lives easier
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2
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination
unsurprisingly, the story about being kidnapped by aliens was pure invention
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3
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
a writer with great invention, she is able to create on the page worlds that don't exist but certainly seem like they could
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4
as in creativity
the skill and imagination to create new things
a person of seemingly endless invention, Thomas Edison held a world-record 1,093 patents
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Recent Examples of invention
Likewise, Lenin’s invention of the one-party police state as a way to make Marx’s idea work is hardly less momentous.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2025
Facilitating mankind’s victory has been an invention that allows flesh-and-blood soldiers to control mechanized drone bodies with half their minds while the other halves enjoy, say, margaritas on a digital beach.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The dumb gags in Caveman are nearly as ingenious as the invention of fire: Atouk and Lar figure out the secret to walking upright by cracking each other’s backs—who knew?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Obviously, that is a 20th century invention, and earlier presidents had no access to such technology.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2025
Facilitating mankind’s victory has been an invention that allows flesh-and-blood soldiers to control mechanized drone bodies with half their minds while the other halves enjoy, say, margaritas on a digital beach.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The dumb gags in Caveman are nearly as ingenious as the invention of fire: Atouk and Lar figure out the secret to walking upright by cracking each other’s backs—who knew?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Obviously, that is a 20th century invention, and earlier presidents had no access to such technology.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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Upon confirmation, his leadership will support our work to drive American innovation, strengthen partnerships, and further the essential mission of the agency for the benefit of all.—
Tariq Malik,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Beyond product innovation, MacroAir is strengthening its global presence.—
Tyler Shepherd,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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To receive The New Yorker’s prize-winning journalism, photography, and short films, along with podcasts, cartoons, fiction, and more, sign up for our daily newsletter.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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The parallels between real life and fiction were haunting.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article Starting a new theater company during this perilous time for arts funding takes guts, imagination and talent.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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Of course, assembling a team to challenge in the Premier League is extremely difficult but there was a lack of imagination in their recruitment and some theoretically key arrivals (Aaron Ramsdale, for example) came in at the last minute.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There’s an undeniable surge of creativity and innovation in next-generation media outlets that are squarely targeting Black audiences.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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The show, which has popped up around Chicago and Evanston regularly since August, offers a safe space for performers and a reminder to audiences of the power of creativity.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The six-part podcast series unravels the twisted tale of Stover, his ex-wife, the heiress, and the bodyguard.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The romance drama is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Add to that the need to build factories and fabrication plants for microchips.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
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Instead, each case involved egregious misconduct, including the wholesale fabrication of news stories.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There are countless examples of Black ingenuity and cultural impact that have gone under-recognized—or intentionally obscured—as part of this country’s history, but Julian Francis Abele was a hidden figure somewhat by design.—
Evan Nicole Brown,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2025
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Such as participating in games that required social skills mixed in with ingenuity, sprinkled with a dose of luck.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Flanagan has adapted numerous novels from King in the past, including The Life of Chuck, The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Austen’s second novel follows Elizabeth Bennet, an unmarried woman and the second of five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet from Hertfordshire, near London.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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