operates

verb

present tense third-person singular of operate
1
as in uses
to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

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2
as in manages
to look after and make decisions about it takes years to learn how to operate that kind of business so that it makes money

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3
as in works
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in applies
to put into action or service wouldn't dream of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol

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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 operates The service Gracious and genial, the staff operates on a high level. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026 Systemwide, American operates more than 6,000 daily flights to over 350 destinations across 60+ countries, serving more than 200 million customers annually. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026 Terrestrial Energy’s technical filing demonstrates that the core nuclear module operates with complete independence from the power-conversion systems. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 The last category is tone, a kind of light and whimsical atmosphere that operates independently of any single joke. — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Formed in the aftermath of a disastrous mountain war with China in 1962, the ITBP operates in some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 Manufacturers in Bangladesh have been calling for a greater say in how the system operates, contending that the present RSC structure is slowing down remediation and increasing costs. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Version 1 of Starlink Mobile currently operates with about 650 satellites. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 The plane was carrying out a medical evacuation in Bermuda, said Clarence Togeretz, the director of flight operations at Latitude Air Ambulance, which operates the plane. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operates
  1. uses
  2. manages
  3. works
  4. applies
  5. handles
  6. supervises
  7. performs
  8. utilizes
Verb
  • Jerry Turner, founder of the nonprofit Jahri's World, uses music, movement and dance to connect with children, including those with disabilities, while bringing families together.
    — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The fix can be effective for some tasks, analysts say, but uses significantly more electricity.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Mousquetaires Group, which runs the Intermarche chain, has indicated that a Danish company, Danfoss, manages the affected refrigerators.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Fox Entertainment Global holds domestic distribution rights to Baywatch and Fremantle manages all international sales.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of manages
Verb
  • The measure works largely by imposing deadlines on state agencies and courts to issue decisions quickly.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Russia's Federal Security Service said the man, who works for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was suspected of gathering information about Russia's defense capability on behalf of a Japanese intelligence agency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of works
Verb
  • The approach applies manufacturing practices to research and development, allowing engineers and machinists to modify components and processes quickly as designs evolve.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The event’s organizer argues the law applies to contests between people, not robots.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of applies
Verb
  • If a policy doesn’t say how AI handles your data, don’t assume it’s handled responsibly.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Sara Qudah, who handles the Middle East for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Levine's beating was not an isolated incident for journalists covering the West Bank olive harvest.
    — Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of handles
Verb
  • Frot-Coutaz also supervises Sky Studios Elstree, Sky’s state-of-the-art film and TV studio, plus Sky Studios’ global portfolio of production companies that includes Blast!
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Jim DeFrain, who supervises the investigation and the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit, said initial testing indicated the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervises
Verb
  • While Motor Decide helps identify the best motor technology pathway, Motor AI performs the detailed motor design work needed to bring those concepts to life, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Narges also performs the majority of her own stunts across the series.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of performs
Verb
  • Alaska utilizes a top-four primary, in which the four highest vote-getters from the August primary advance to the general election.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Chula Vista, which has wholly embraced such technologies, also utilizes AI to write police reports.
    — Jakob McWhinney, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of utilizes

Browse Nearby Words

operated
operates
operatic
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Cite this Entry

“Operates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operates. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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