Definition of operatenext
1
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
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The airline has spent years operating some of the world’s longest routes, including Perth to London and Auckland to New York. Jake McGowan, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez was allegedly operating the unmanned drone on June 12 in restricted airspace near Centennial Olympic Park during the 2026 FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta while standing in a nearby parking area and recording video of the event, federal prosecutors said. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Francesca Slater, the chief operating officer of Sacramento’s LGBT Community Center threw out the first ceremonial pitch during Wednesday’s game. Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026 Employee Alana Miller said operating the business in such a historic building sends an important message. Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
  • The targeting led the Russians to use an alternative route, according to the Ukrainian military, with a large number of trucks carrying military supplies sent further west.
    Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • Officers conducted a search on foot and using a drone, but were unable to locate the animal.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Both Ghana and England will walk away with a point after Ghana managed to hold off England in a heart-pounding final few minutes of stoppage time.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Most of the site sits on private land, with a smaller portion managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • These will be highly specialized agents that sit on top of Anaplan’s applications, capable of performing tasks autonomously for users.
    Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • While humans thrive on ambiguity, context, metaphor and inference, machines generally perform better when information is categorized, tagged, labeled and linked in ways that reduce uncertainty.
    Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • This new lottery system will be utilized for a three-year experimental span and will expire after the 2029 draft, with the board of governors then allowed to vote to continue the system or transition to a new one.
    Anthony Chiang June 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
  • That physical play is something the Patriots can utilize, as well as Brown’s route-running prowess that has led to four straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Bosch, the German engineering firm, says its British subsidiary now handles 10,000 import transactions per year, a stunning increase from just 40 annually prior to Brexit.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • According to the developers, the AI agent will create itineraries, handle arrangements, and try to anticipate what guests need.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • That enables Cadence’s system, which is supervised by physicians, to alert a clinician when a patient is deteriorating before a stroke or heart attack, for example.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Judge Stacy Street sentenced Beckwith to three years supervised probation, the court clerk confirmed to USA TODAY.
    Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Now, founder and CEO Chad Houser is getting more recognition, not just for the food, but for the special young people working there.
    Josh Taylor, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Yet, the share of retirees who work has never ranged higher than 34%.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Those rules govern which AI models Promise may use and what protections apply — effectively letting each client decide how heavily AI figures into the work.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Lower Manhattan became frozen beyond expectation, with subways stopping south of Canal Street, a border that had earlier applied only to cars.
    Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on operate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster