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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 operates 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 The Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the state's three major airports, confirmed that the aircraft did not arrive at Boston Logan International Airport as scheduled. — James Cirrone , Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 The company, which operates similar events in cities around the country, sells digital Crawl Passes for $20. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Taiwan receives the first of 66 new F-16Vs Taiwan, for its part, already operates many older 1990s-era F-16A/B Block 20 airframes, most of which have been upgraded over time. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026 The Network operates a strategy of debuting one show at a time and has previously picked up shows such as Steve Coogan’s Chivalry and Esmé Creed-Miles-led The Doll Factory. — Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Bezos Academy now operates more than 40 preschools across Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Texas, and Washington, offering full-day programming for children ages 3 to 5. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Moe Alamawi is the founder of Momentum Academy and operates multiple TikTok Shop affiliate accounts. — Moe Alamawi, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The British tech unicorn, which operates a string of AI-ready data centres in the US and Europe and is backed by the deep pockets of Nvidia, has filed for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 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 final design uses a carbon fiber frame with a central battery and eight arms supporting the motors and propellers.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The main restaurant uses 70 percent local suppliers, and the hotel’s water supply is harnessed from rainwater tanks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Researchers solved this issue by creating a dual processing technique that smooths the material surface and manages how the crystals form.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Fundo Setorial do Audiovisual (FSA) will provide the money for the $20 million incentive package as part of an agreement between RioFilm and the National Cinema Agency (Ancine), which manages FSA.
    — Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of manages
Verb
  • Fifteen of the euro area’s 21 countries still lack a domestic digital payment solution, according to the ECB, and no current European payment scheme works seamlessly across the entire bloc.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At other moments, we are drawn magnetically into the myriad questions these works open up.
    — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of works
Verb
  • These histories can be claimed for any site-specific artwork located in an outdoor setting, though their relevance applies differently from one example to another.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But again, this only applies if your flight is delayed by more than by more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of applies
Verb
  • California’s Labor Commissioner handles retaliation complaints arising under laws within its jurisdiction.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • James’ office also handles other criminal work and has the power to investigate every death in the state involving law enforcement.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of handles
Verb
  • Instead of focusing on how many tasks a manager supervises, consider how much high-quality work the team can complete without their direct involvement.
    — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Some act like the cool parent who supervises their child’s drug use.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of supervises
Verb
  • The Power Cleaner performs a more intensive scan than the Quick Optimizer, with options to run optimizations automatically when the scan finishes and to shut down the system after optimization completes.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Consumers can start with a small balance and narrow permissions, observe how the agent performs and expand its authority over time.
    — Louis Hoch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of performs
Verb
  • Web version also available Security features Maintaining only read-only access, Monarch utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and multi-factor authentication.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than issuing its welcome reward in a single lump sum, FanDuel utilizes a multi-day incentive format that rewards regular participation during your first week on the platform.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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