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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invention
Krishna won for his invention of HelioPure – a system that uses solar power to remove contaminants.
—
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This agreement grants Inertia Enterprises rights to several foundational inventions necessary for building a fusion power plant.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Lately, some of the most interesting ideas showing up on resort menus and cruise ships aren’t coming from flashy new inventions, but from ingredients and dining concepts guests already know well, now resurfacing with new purpose.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The first human invention was an external stomach.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
This agreement grants Inertia Enterprises rights to several foundational inventions necessary for building a fusion power plant.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Lately, some of the most interesting ideas showing up on resort menus and cruise ships aren’t coming from flashy new inventions, but from ingredients and dining concepts guests already know well, now resurfacing with new purpose.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
The first human invention was an external stomach.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for invention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invention
Noun
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At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In response, much of the conversation about education has focused on skills, knowledge, and innovation.—
Peter Folan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hokum gives you a taste of one tormented scribe’s fiction before introducing you to the man behind the keyboard.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
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The director’s 2024 fiction project In Her Place also is streaming on Netflix.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Romantic Venus sextiles dreamy Neptune, softening conversations and opening space for empathy, imagination, and meaningful exchange.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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Ko’s conception of the wuxia genre centers on imagination as a martial force.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Be honest about what’s workable, and let creativity thrive within boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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These details feel distinctly human, inviting curiosity, creativity, and connection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The 2-panel chart below tells the tale.—
Carter Braxton Worth,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
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Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But without freedom, Berdyaev writes, creativeness is impossible.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In this new work, advanced fabrication was used to create a 3D mesh of microscopic metal wires and electrodes.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
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SpaceX mention on call During the call, CEO Elon Musk talked about the mechanics of operations between his various companies, specifically regarding the buildout of his semiconductor fabrication project, Terafab.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invention. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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