invent vs formulate

invent and formulate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
invent	No	No	Yes	No
formulate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, invent and formulate are synonyms defined as:

invent and formulate: come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

Other synonyms of invent include contrive, devise, excogitate, forge.

invent (verb)	formulate (verb)
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort	put into words or an expression
concoct something artificial or untrue	elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
	come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
	prepare according to a formula