operating 1 of 2

Definition of operatingnext

operating

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 operating
Adjective
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others. Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026 Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million. Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income. Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023 Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022 Known for many years for its great and famous passenger trains, the last regularly scheduled FECR passenger train ran on July 31, 1968, due to the work stoppage by the non-operating unions that began on January 22, 1963. Seth H. Bramson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022 On Monday, as Hasbro released its fourth quarter earnings, the toy maker recorded a $41.3 million net non-cash, non-operating charge associated with the company’s investment in the Discovery Family Channel. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2022
Verb
The 2025 language about under-performing degree programs, which said that degree programs that don't meet enrollment quotas must get permission from the Commission to continue operating, was added to the state budget the day before the legislative session concluded. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026 Rarely has a president been surrounded by such an array of toadies and lickspittles, operating beyond their competence in an atmosphere of organizational chaos. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026 Created in 2015 by Pierre-Antoine Capton, Xavier Niel, and Matthieu Pigasse, Mediawan group currently gathers more than 80 production labels operating in 13 countries. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 Millstream said Kismet will continue operating under its existing brand but will be able to expand through Millstream's production and distribution system. Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026 The medium is no longer operating at the margins. Lauren Mechling, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026 Legal Consequences and Safety Advice While driving laws vary by state, the FDA notes that operating a vehicle while impaired by medication—prescription or over‑the‑counter—can have similar legal consequences to driving under the influence of alcohol. Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026 That's less than half of what the company Flock has been operating around Denver. Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026 When a team is operating at 14 or fewer under standard contract, the total number of games all of the team’s two-way players can be active on game nights is 90. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • The Arak plant has not been operational since Israel attacked it last June.
    Farnoush Amiri, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Solar customers who had their systems installed under earlier iterations of the tariff still get compensated at the retail rate for 20 years from the time their systems became operational before the new rules affect them.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There is a lot of breathless talk of autonomous agents reshaping every corner of corporate America, from handling sales calls to writing code to managing supply chains.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Two civil rights lawyers who were involved in at least some of the past discussions — Andrew Braniff and Jesus Osete — are currently handling appeals in three separate cases, after federal judges denied the Justice Department's request to hand over the voter rolls.
    Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Cooking, handling special requests and managing busy environments still depend on people.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Wait times listed on the MyTSA mobile app may not be accurate because TSA isn’t actively managing its sites during the shutdown.
    John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And while Harrell continues his rehab, newcomer Cole Gonzales has been working with the first team, along with returner Grayson Loftis, who started seven games last season.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • One player who’s looking forward to working with Corona is freshman Max DeHoyos.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Ticket holders who travel to matches using public transportation (Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Metrobus, Trolley, or Broward County Transit) will receive a $10 food and beverage credit upon arrival at Nu Stadium.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • These laws are only required today because Democrats have put in place operative policies that allow for people who are not legal voters to be voting.
    Special to the Sun-Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie.
    John DeVore, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Current board members Kay Coen and Jeff Siems, who is also the school board vice president, are not running for re-election.
    Joseph Hernandez March 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Ultra Music Festival returned to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami for its second day Saturday, with music running from noon to midnight across seven stages.
    Miami Herald newsroom, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The transit operator has been accused in the past of not properly supervising contract security personnel who occasionally used excessive force.
    James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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