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Definition of operative : 1. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.
2. Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
3. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.
4. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.

Synonyms:

in force, protease inhibitor, postoperative, be, private investigator, functional, awareness, key, principal investigator, artificer, artisan, utilizable, operant, shamus, intelligence agent, important, operating, operational, alive, mechanic, effective, preoperative, surgical, secret agent, functioning, usable, practicable, intelligence officer, action, employable, going, in effect, private detective, accessible, good, running, active, workman, possible, sherlock, private eye, pi, artist, significant, operable, in operation, open, at work, working

deputy, mediator, impresario, actor, broker, intermediary, appointee, factor, delegate, instrument, ombudsman, executor, representative, middleman, agent, liaison, emissary, lieutenant, agency, surrogate, substitute, proxy, vehicle, go-between, attorney, alternate, auxiliary, second

adequate, efficient

Usage examples:

• There is no warrant for reading the distinctions made by judgment back into a situation where judgment was not operative. - "John Dewey's logical theory", Delton Thomas Howard.
• Of course he's a little foggy yet, but I suppose that's just the post- operative shock." - "Am I Still There?", James R. Hall.
• It is evident that in both cases it is the fear of the loss of the above favors that is operative. - "The Delights of Wisdom Pertaining to Conjugial Love", Emanuel Swedenborg.