1
2
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
3
4
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
Lewton's pictures always operate on a psychological level, and his films rely more times than not on the viewers' imaginations to conjure up the terrors being alluded to on screen.
—
Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Pierre Louis was allegedly operating the vehicle despite not having a drivers license.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Klesla operated a hotel in his hometown, Nový Jičín, but sold it several years ago.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Ragheb did not operate on Katy, but oversaw her treatment.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Pierre Louis was allegedly operating the vehicle despite not having a drivers license.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Klesla operated a hotel in his hometown, Nový Jičín, but sold it several years ago.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Ragheb did not operate on Katy, but oversaw her treatment.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
-
However, since the May request, the department has signed a $172 million contract with Gulfstream to buy not one but two used G700 jets.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The breathable cotton quilt is lightweight enough to use year-round, but the warm tones beckon for fall.—
Sheri Kaz,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This means astronauts will have to diagnose, treat, and manage crises without ground support, even if a crew member becomes incapacitated.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The chicken scene generally captures the way Orlean can cast a thoughtful eye over her life’s experiences and still manage to be funny while not dismissing the darts life threw at her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Although the Peacock adaptation didn't show a full shot of Gacy in his clown costume, the series included scenes of him talking about his passion for dressing up as a clown and publicly performing as one.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
In service jobs, Black workers labored as porters, chauffeurs, and servers; in manufacturing plants, white supremacist pseudoscience was harnessed to justify forcing Black workers to perform the most difficult and dangerous work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The church also proposed adding space for hydroponic farming that would supply produce for the community and terrace farming that could be utilized by the residents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Belmont senior midfielder’s red face showed exhaustion from yet another big matchup she was heavily utilized in.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The utility also has detention basins at its Peak Flow Attenuation Facility, located off Scott Hamilton Drive, that are meant to allow the system to handle significant rain events.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Thankfully, our providers handled our pregnancy with so much care and grace knowing our history.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Susan Zirinsky and Terence Wrong serve as executive producers for See It Now, with Aysu Saliba and Cara Tortora supervising producers.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Phil Hanna was to supervise the hanging, and Arthur Hash was to pull the trigger that would cause the fall.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The organization has a partnership with the nonprofit Allbritton Journalism Institute, which sponsors a multi-year class of 20 fellows who work closely with professional journalists in the newsroom.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Now working for United Airlines as an avionics technician at Newark Liberty International Airport, repairing plane engines and electrical systems, the 25-year-old has already doubled her investment in the program and makes over six-figures.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This philosophy applies to business owners seeking to develop managers and leaders within their organizations.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Their work could be a critical step toward the safe and rational decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and the technology could be applied to nuclear accident sites elsewhere in the world.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share