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Synonyms

create

American  
[kree-eyt] / kriˈeɪt /

verb (used with object)

created, creating
  1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.

  2. to evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.

    Synonyms:
    invent, contrive, devise, initiate, originate
  3. Theater. to perform (a role) for the first time or in the first production of a play.

  4. to make by investing with new rank or by designating; constitute; appoint.

    to create a peer.

  5. to be the cause or occasion of; give rise to.

    The announcement created confusion.

  6. to cause to happen; bring about; arrange, as by intention or design.

    to create a revolution; to create an opportunity to ask for a raise.


verb (used without object)

created, creating
  1. to do something creative or constructive.

  2. British. to make a fuss.

adjective

  1. Archaic. created.

create British  
/ kriːˈeɪt /

verb

  1. (tr) to cause to come into existence

  2. (tr) to invest with a new honour, office, or title; appoint

  3. (tr) to be the cause of

    these circumstances created the revolution

  4. (tr) to act (a role) in the first production of a play

  5. (intr) to be engaged in creative work

  6. slang (intr) to make a fuss or uproar

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • creatable adjective
  • intercreate verb (used with object)
  • self-creating adjective
  • uncreatable adjective

Etymology

Origin of create

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English creat (past participle), from Latin creātus, equivalent to creā- (stem of creāre “to make”) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The community embraced this project as something that reflects them in a way that they want to be reflected, and that, for me, is one of my goals whenever I do create a film.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

"It would create profit when all they're doing is swapping players. So it was basically a way of getting around the regulations, increasing your limits and these academy players were being used as commodities."

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Rising gas costs, along with higher costs for groceries and rent, create financial stress that can follow employees into the workplace, they noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Earlier this year, the administration weighed a plan to create three tiers of different tariff levels, but ultimately decided on an even simpler proposal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Tom Kane understood that great deeds, talents, or discoveries do not create celebrity, media attention does.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock