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

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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

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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 About 20 minutes after the cops left, two rangers — Burning Man volunteers who operate like a cross between a paramedic and a peace officer — arrived with more pictures of the same men. Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025 According to the Flightradar24 tracking site, the plane in question is operated by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a wing of India’s Defence Ministry. Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025 Four years beforehand, Brazil’s Gerson was considered unconventional as a playmaker operating unusually far back, in front of the defence. Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025 On July 8, her team of doctors decided the girl was facing imminent death and so operated to fit her with an artificial heart — an assistive device to help her body pump blood. Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
  • Photonic quantum computing is a quantum computation approach that uses photons—particles of light—as qubits.
    Gil Press, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Zoryve has a unique active ingredient—roflumilast, an enzyme inhibitor that’s being used for the first time in a topical medication.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • What began as a handful of campus groups now stretches across more than 3,500 high schools and universities, supported by dozens of full-time staff who manage student activists like a professional sales force.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, the industry is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to manage tariff risks, optimize logistics costs, and ensure pricing compliance across complex regulatory environments.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This is when your liver is so scarred up that there’s barely enough normal tissue to perform the routine functions of the liver.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Scientists performed dental exams and took blood samples — participants also filled out dietary questionnaires.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The solar panels produce electricity in DC current which is then converted to AC current utilized inside the building with an inverter.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The most visible are those in customer service and support, with AI agents now handling millions of customer interactions once handled by live agents over chat, email and even phone.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • There’s also some discussion of how to handle characters with alternate forms, such as Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Four university police officers supervised the event, setting up what appeared to be a sort of perimeter surrounding the group.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In this photo, mama, who liked posing for the camera, supervises her litter of kittens.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Alfred is arguably the second-best 200-meter runner among the three and will work hard to secure a gold medal at these championships.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Long said six campus police officers were working the event, including some in plainclothes who were monitoring the crowd.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With this certification program, employees can take short learning breaks and access ready-to-apply AI content on demand, instantly increasing their AI acumen.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The other end of the spectrum are breaks that happen when a single application of force is applied to the bone.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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