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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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 Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 The informal sector often operates independently with fragmented logistics, which creates risks and a significant barrier to consistent volume. — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Ncube once was the district vice president of sales and marketing for that nonprofit, which operates separately from the city. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 For instance, prescription drug monitoring programs, which every state now operates, assemble detailed logs of who filled which controlled substance prescription and when. — Jennifer D. Oliva, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 Route 64 operates on Grays Ferry Avenue and no longer serves Reed and Wharton streets. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 Penn State quickly announced that Delta Upsilon would be placed on interim suspension, while Sigma Chi is already not recognized as an organization and operates outside the university’s oversight. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026 That disconnect is why Collins argues that culture isn’t perks or rituals but, rather, the fundamental beliefs that guide how a company operates. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 Michibiki 7 will be part of Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a homegrown navigation system that operates high above Earth in geosynchronous orbit. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operates
  1. uses
  2. manages
  3. works
  4. applies
  5. handles
  6. supervises
  7. performs
  8. utilizes
Verb
  • The Flock fallout is expanding with Hopkinton, Massachusetts, joining the growing number of Commonwealth communities turning off the technology that uses cameras to scan license plates and record details like a car's make, model and color.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Buffalo Grove, which also uses joint purchasing through Lake County, plans to purchase salt from other sources to cover its need.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • The Royal Parks charity, which manages Richmond Park, where the incident took place over the weekend, warned that human behavior is endangering the lives of the deer who have resided there for centuries.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • At least one of the kittens was still alive when it was thrown, said Tracy Flaherty, who manages the Dairy Queen on Library Road.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of manages
Verb
  • Except that’s how the entertainment business works these days, and those deals did pay them millions (the Netflix production deal was reported to be in the $100-million range).
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Communications, however, is one of the few functions that regularly works across every part of the business.
    — Caroline Johns, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of works
Verb
  • The pause that applies to data centers in downtown that are less than 350,000 square feet.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The reasoning that applies in one place means nothing in the other.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of applies
Verb
  • In healthcare, for example, an admissions department that once required 10 people may need two as AI handles referral summaries, reimbursement assessments and coordination workflows.
    — Dave Wessinger, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • O’Brien’s report was not entirely negative, and the auditor’s office found that how Denver handles project management is generally effective, though there’s room for improvement.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of handles
Verb
  • The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • David Smith, who supervises the district’s aedes crew, said his team has received an increasing number of service requests for day-biting mosquitoes within the neighborhood.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of supervises
Verb
  • Winding machines can process up to 240 cells per minute, while a rotary indexing system performs tab flattening and full-tab forming in a single step.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Its facilities can recreate real-world sound environments and changing acoustic conditions to assess how technology performs as the world around the consumer changes.
    — Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of performs
Verb
  • The design utilizes otherwise dead space under the access stairs and jumping platforms and transforms them into equipment rooms to hide away pumps and other accessories while keeping them easily accessible for maintenance.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Saturday, utilizes 56,000 square feet of indoor space to host more than 200 vendors, sword-fighting, costume contests, live musicians, mermaids, fairies and photo ops.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of operates for Spanish Speakers

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