The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Source: tatoeba (2289)
Invent
/ɪnˈvɛnt/
Synonyms for "invent" (222 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (45)
Strong matches (66)
Verb(23 words)
createcreate languagescreatescreates artdesigndevelopeddevise a procedureembroideredexcogitateexpress individualityfabricatedfabricatesfalsifiesfanglefantasiedfantasizedfantasizesfeignfeignsfib
Show 3 more words
Noun(17 words)
create a numbered listcreated itemcreatingdesign descriptordesign educationdesign pasture systemsdevice functiondevise approachdevisingdreamingdreamsembellishingfablefabricatingfantasyfantasyingfictionalizing
Adjective(3 words)
Related words (111)
formulateframefudgegenerategetgive being togive rise tohatchhatch upheadhead uphithit uponhoke uphunt downideateimagineimproviseinaugurateinitiate
Show 51 more words
innovateintroduceintroduce new bloodleadlead offlead the waylocatemakemake domake do withmake innovationsmake upmanufacturematuremintmoldneologizeneoterizeoriginatepioneerplanprecedeprocreateproduceprojectrediscoverrenewrenovaterevolutionizerun downrun to earthshamshapespawnspinstand firststrikestrike outsupposetake the initiativetake the leadtake the plungethinkthink outthink uptracetrace downtrack downtrump upturn outvamp up
Verb(19 words)
Noun(18 words)
handcrafted originimagined settingimaginingmanufacturesmanufacturingmanufacturing processesmintsmixture classprivately developedpublic benefits conceptspanish fabricarstagestermertrumptrumpingtrumpsverb of creationyarns
Adjective(3 words)
improvised methodmanufactured substancepioneering method
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: devise, fabricate, formulate, alibiing, author.
- Sentence evidence is available for invent, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "invent".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "invent"
Keep "invent" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "invent" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "invent", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "invent" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
13 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
5 entriesinvent a deviceinvent a solutioninvent a storyinvent new methodsinvent something
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
15 total sentences available.
What did Bell invent?
Source: tatoeba (25217)
If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
Source: tatoeba (30951)
Don't use "discover" when you mean "invent".
Source: tatoeba (73579)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "invent"?
Closest matches include devise, fabricate, formulate, alibiing, author.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "invent"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.