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
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026 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
One hip-hop artist operating a DJ stand inside the perimeter said young fans were looking to be part of something bigger. Antonio Ferme, Variety, 11 June 2026 The system is operating under sustained and well-documented pressure that has built over time as caseloads have increased, cases have become more complex, and resources have not always kept pace with demand. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 Anyone caught operating a drone in that zone will be subject to fines up to $100,000 and federal criminal charges. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026 Thousands of people gathered on Tuesday to watch the world's largest operating steam locomotive roll through Pennsylvania for the first time as part of a coast-to-coast tour celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 10 June 2026 Another 2,000 units were still operating only as temporary shelter rather than permanent housing. Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 An airport in the Netherlands has started operating the world’s first fully electric TaxiBot, which is designed to tow passenger aircraft from the gate to the runway while keeping their engines switched off. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026 The device is not for users with active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aid implants; users with metallic implants such as stents, bone plates or bone screws at or near the neck; or users operating another device like a TENS unit or muscle stimulator at the same time. Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 The chain's oldest continuously-operating restaurant – located in Tallahassee, Florida – had its final day of operation on May 24, according to reporting from the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • The strategic capital allocation serves distinct operational needs.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
  • While Units 3 and 4 at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant remain operational, work to replace them has already begun, with concrete pouring for Units 7 and 8 scheduled to start in March 2024 and March 2025, respectively.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • And whatever happens, BBC Studios will remain in the saddle, handling distribution, licensing, consumer products, digital, and immersive experiences.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 June 2026
  • On July 31, a dispatcher from Alligator Alcatraz called the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for guidance on handling an employee with a traffic offense warrant.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The strategy is being driven by the conviction that the future of AI belongs to autonomous agents capable of executing complex, multi-step tasks — such as booking travel or managing calendars — rather than simply answering queries.
    Amedeo Goria, Fortune, 7 June 2026
  • Appearing on Fox News, Lankford said the nation’s top intelligence post requires a leader with deep experience managing sensitive national security matters and suggested Pulte’s background raises legitimate questions.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • The unemployment rate among young people is about twice as high as the national average; and 40% of college grads who are working have taken jobs that don't require a college degree, like temporary or part-time gigs.
    David Pogue, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Tabbed nothing less than the golden generation, they were meant to grow a sport that long had roots but never could quite blossom, using the soil of their own country to do it.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • But with less on his schedule this offseason, Brady seems determined to have an operative role in turning the Raiders around.
    Sam Warren, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • Post-operative care is provided with a special kit containing shampoos, lotions, and medical products, and the clinic maintains high hygiene standards by sanitizing procedure rooms through ultraviolet technology.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • His nagging hamstring strain prevents him pretty much only from running full speed, but that was enough to land him on the 10-day IL.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • Ahead of this week’s record IPO, SpaceX disclosed that Google has agreed to pay it roughly $920 million a month for compute capacity at its Memphis campus, access to something on the order of 110,000 GPUs running into 2029.
    Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The popular Pennsylvania amusement venue said guests ages 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other supervising adult during all operating hours, effective June 12.
    Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
  • Post-production panelists included creator and co-showrunner Oren Uziel, editor Jennifer Barbot, production sound mixer Matthew Sanchez, supervising sound editor Andy Sisul, re-recording mixer Nick Offord, VFX supervisor Hnedel Maximore, and composers Kris Powers and Michael Dean Parsons.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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