1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
an ingenious but rather eccentric inventor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
a chair that can't tip over is quite ingenious
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 ingenious
The gags are both ingenious and hilarious: At one point, two cheerful, robotic white newscasters evaluate a Black presidential hopeful (Billy Dee Williams) by praising his attributes.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Some of his songs included a subtly subversive degree of dissonance, along with unexpected melodic and rhythmic turns, an ingenious use of texture and counterpoint, and instrumental combinations more commonly heard in chamber-music ensembles or jazz groups.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
One ingenious dish featured a tomato that had been dehydrated, then rehydrated in concentrated tomato water—the tomato deepened by more of itself.
—Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
Just think with a select group of creative members all the ingenious tax and fees that could be considered in the budgeting process.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
Some of his songs included a subtly subversive degree of dissonance, along with unexpected melodic and rhythmic turns, an ingenious use of texture and counterpoint, and instrumental combinations more commonly heard in chamber-music ensembles or jazz groups.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
One ingenious dish featured a tomato that had been dehydrated, then rehydrated in concentrated tomato water—the tomato deepened by more of itself.
—Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
Just think with a select group of creative members all the ingenious tax and fees that could be considered in the budgeting process.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ingenious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenious
Adjective
-
There’s also the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, inventive restaurants, luxury hotels, and one-of-a-kind boutiques (design a custom pair of boots at the first Lucchese Custom Collection store).—
Sophie-Claire Hoeller,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The eclectic sounds of Larkin Poe served as a perfect lead-in for Stephen Wilson Jr., the singer, songwriter, and inventive guitarist who has been steadily building an audience for the past two years with his 2023 album Son of Dad.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The digital device is exhausted, the runtime stretches a tad too long, and a club scene that begins as an admirable feat (making clever use of the Music Box Theatre) begins to drag, before giving way to a crucial turning point in the story.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Later in the same game, Miami ran four verts with a clever outside receiver cross-field motion.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The innovative vendor management software offers collaboration tools and real-time insights.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
-
With innovative design and small-space-friendly decor that maximizes even the teeniest of footprints, these micro lodges are a travel trend AD can’t help but get behind, from a mountain-view wonder in Washington to a stylish pad in Atlanta.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Deprived of the cachet afforded by global branding, deep commercial affiliations, and entrenched fanbases, these clubs must eschew traditional paradigms and pursue imaginative strategies for capital formation, revenue diversification, and long-term sustainability.—
Priya Oberoi,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
She will be remembered for her imaginative spirit, her pioneering role in supernatural fiction, and her generosity, warmth and heart, both on and off the page.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Taylor, an Oscar and Emmy-nominated producer and founder of 51 Entertainment, will speak about her creative vision in film and TV.—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Also, being able to relinquish creative control was life-changing—though after a few months, the itch to perform her own music again seemed to return.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenious. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share