1
as in to use
to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

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2
3
as in to perform
to produce a desired effect the medicine will take an hour or so to operate the first time you use it

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4
as in to utilize
to put into action or service wouldn't dream of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of operate A lot of these operatives are operating from civilian areas. Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025 About 400 officers have been trained to operate the trucks that will use public charging stations. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025 Joyce Barnes is the chief operating officer of TOCCA, a beauty and home fragrance brand. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025 And do not operate heavy machinery while watching sports! Scott Simon, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
  • The Dodgers, with baseball's biggest payroll, have used their financial ability to pluck some of the most sought-after and most expensive free agents on the market.
    Steve Futterman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • According to the new study, certain forms of iron oxyhydroxide nanominerals can catalyze the degradation of organophosphate esters (OPEs), chemical additives used in plastics as flame retardants and softeners.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In part, the McKinley administration standardized various press protocols and routines involved in managing the press corps—holding somewhat regular briefings, for example, and carefully timing White House announcements.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Because of delays, Peter, having committed to spending a year in Israel, turned to me to manage all aspects of this sprawling project.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Directed by British filmmaker and frequent collaborator Nick Wickham (Madonna, Shakira) the film will chronicle the album’s release date unveiling at the intimate Troxy nightclub in London, where the goth rock legends performed the entire record for the first and only time to date.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
  • When the immune system ages, immune cells become less able to perform crucial functions like fighting infection, destroying cancer cells and healing wounds, according to Rhodes, who is also the CEO and co-founder of Mimio Health in San Francisco.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement The Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health utilized satellite images to corroborate the scene, as well as a previously unreported potential mass killing at an RSF detention site at the former Children’s Hospital.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
  • In Africa, operators of Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSO) are utilizing robust cameras with early warning capabilities to help improve situational awareness in hazardous environments.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Equipped to handle every kind of wintry mix the forecast may bring, this is a durable option that will remain intact all season long.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In an April 2, 2021, amicus brief, Raffensperger, represented by the state attorney general, argued ballots must remain sealed under Georgia’s Elections Code and warned that allowing the public to handle physical ballots could constitute a felony under state law.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The boards for the district develop and approve policies for the schools; hire, supervise and evaluate the superintendent; and approve budgets set by the superintendent.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Laurie Orlando, who has supervised talent recruitment and strategy at CBS News for nearly a decade, is leaving the Paramount Skydance operation — the latest of the news division’s senior executives to exit as the parent company overhauls its operations under an iconoclastic new editor in chief.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In Galaxy Mapper, author Allie Summers and illustrator Sian James introduce readers to French astrophysicist Hélène Courtois, a working scientist who studies cosmography, or mapping the observable universe.
    Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Researchers have developed a new algorithm that can help multiple drones work together to control and transport heavy payloads.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Regional restrictions may apply.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Future research could explore whether similar biases apply to other visible traits, such as race or disability.
    Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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