OPERATE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

operate

verb

ˈä-pə-ˌrāt

Definition of operate

as in to use

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about it takes years to learn how to operate that kind of business so that it makes money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to utilize

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Erceg touched 100 mph and pitched with conviction while operating in the high-leverage role. — Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026 Protect your vacation with travel insurance This interactive feature is operated by a third party. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 Hiring a professional service provides peace of mind that the lawn will be aerated correctly and that there’s no need to figure out how to operate a core aerator. — Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026 Dave Goelz has operated the puppet and voiced him ever since. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for operate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate

Verb

And Oscar, stunned at his victory, promises to use his winnings to take the whole cast and crew to dinner.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Many organizations don’t have a complete inventory of where cryptography is being used today.

— Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Alvarez managed to nab a foul pop-up behind the plate for the first out, but a fly ball to center field scored another run, and Abrams managed to get to third.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Tehran has spent long weeks in discussions with Oman, on the other side of the strait, on how to manage shipping traffic.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

The victim fell to the ground and stopped breathing and had to have CPR performed by bystanders, the report says.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
David Pakman examines just how far the need to perform for digital spectators has seeped into real life.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of perform

Verb

Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Since 2018, the club has utilized SeatGeek for its ticketing operations, hospitality and concerts at both the Etihad Stadium and Joie Stadium.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

Seguin said the aircraft handled well during the first flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Fall might feel like the time for a long list of gardening tasks instead of new planting, but there are lots of leafy greens that retain their best flavor in cooler temperatures, and can even handle a surprise cold snap or two.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

The twist is that this room comes from someone else’s house, someone else’s taste, someone else’s desire to supervise what Ruby might become.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Under the agreement, Carpentersville is responsible for supervising detainees, medical care, medical transportation and other expenses but won’t be charged for using the East Dundee jail.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

Bennett, a former Navy pilot who also worked as a healthcare executive, is a political newcomer.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Born in Hiroshima in 1983, Oyamada won the Shincho Prize for New Writers for The Factory, which was drawn from her experiences working as a temp for an automaker’s subsidiary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of work

Verb

Kelly opened by reminding both sides that he's required to apply case precedent.

— JOCELYN NOVECK, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Carter reasoned that the arbitration was sufficient, Moore received a fair hearing, and the arbitrator correctly applied the relevant standard to the facts.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of apply

Browse Nearby Words

operant

operate

operated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of operate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

argot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes