operative
Spy on payroll
Operative means functioning or in effect.
An operative word is the one that matters most in a sentence or agreement.
A law becomes operative when it takes effect.
As a noun, an operative is someone who carries out operations—either a skilled worker in a trade or, more commonly now, a secret agent or spy: CIA operatives, political operatives.
The spy sense suggests someone who acts rather than plans.
One who acts independently
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- handlerOne who manages something
- assetItem of value owned
sleeper · mole · tradecraft · mission · infiltration · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · surveillance
Adopted false name
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
subterfuge · stealth · shadowing · informant · sting · plainclothes · deep cover · assumed identity
Lock-opening device
- crucialOf supreme importance
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- decisiveQuick to conclude
pivotal · significant · relevant · controlling · determinative · binding · governing · applicable
Metal parts fabricator
- technicianSkilled practical worker
- factory handManufacturing facility worker
- assembly lineSequential workstation manufacturing
- laborerPhysical task performer
skilled worker · craftsman · industrial · shop floor · blue collar · journeyman
In active function
- activeIn operation now
- runningSwift foot travel
- in serviceFunctioning and available
- functioningWorking as intended
in effect · usable · viable · live · online · up and running · enabled · engaged
Prescribed sequence of actions
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
- theaterVenue for live drama
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- anesthesiaInduced loss of feeling
suture · laparoscopic · invasive · elective · outpatient · inpatient · intervention · complications
agent
One who acts independently
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- handlerOne who manages something
asset · sleeper · mole · tradecraft · mission · infiltration · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · surveillance · dead drop
alias
Adopted false name
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- infiltrateEnter secretly to observe
clandestine · subterfuge · stealth · shadowing · informant · sting · plainclothes · deep cover · assumed identity · wire
key
Lock-opening device
- crucialOf supreme importance
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
decisive · pivotal · significant · relevant · controlling · determinative · binding · governing · applicable · enforceable
machinist
Metal parts fabricator
- technicianSkilled practical worker
- factory handManufacturing facility worker
- assembly lineSequential workstation manufacturing
laborer · skilled worker · craftsman · industrial · shop floor · blue collar · journeyman
working
In active function
- activeIn operation now
- runningSwift foot travel
- in serviceFunctioning and available
functioning · in effect · usable · viable · live · online · up and running · enabled · engaged · switched on
procedure
Prescribed sequence of actions
anesthesia · suture · laparoscopic · invasive · elective · outpatient · inpatient · intervention · complications · consent
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
- Agentssecret agent, FBI agent, CIA agent, federal agent, field agent
- military personnelsoldiers, soldier, midshipmen, officers, troops
- spiesJames Bond, spy, Jason Bourne, secret agent, Ethan Hunt
operativeinoperative
Not able to function
nonfunctional · inactive · broken · nonfunctioning · nonoperational
operativeineffective
Lacking power to achieve
ineffectual · useless · unproductive · inefficient · futile
operativeinvalid
Without legal force
void · null · inoperative · unenforceable · nullified
- operating roomSurgical procedure venue
- base of operationsCentral location for activities
- operating systemsCore device management software
- operating tableSurgical procedure surface
- cleanup operationsSystematic removal of debris
- combat operationPlanned armed forces engagement
operation, cooperation, cooperative, operating, uncooperative, operations, operational, inoperative, operatives