OPERATES Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

operates

verb

present tense third-person singular of operate

as in uses

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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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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

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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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 department also operates Brinc Lemur S units for indoor tactical situations and the autonomous DJI Box 3 with Matrice 4TD — a drone-in-a-box platform that is programmed to launch, navigate and return to base entirely on its own. —

Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026 CoreCivic purchased the facility from the county in October 1996 and currently owns and operates the facility. —

Logan Smith, CBS News, 7 June 2026 The crime was reported to Boston Police by an employee of the Museum of African American History which operates the historical site, according to an incident report. —

Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026 OpenClaw — which independently operates apps, web browsers and smart home appliances based on commands users send via messaging apps like WhatsApp — is one of the most popular AI agents today. —

Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 June 2026 The result is an antenna that operates at very low frequencies, around 35–36 kHz, while remaining far more compact than the conventional electrical antennas that work at those same frequencies. —

Omar Kardoudi june 06, New Atlas, 6 June 2026 The Parlor next door operates at a different frequency, with cobalt blue and deep purple walls, a slower service pace, and a menu that demands more of the kitchen. —

Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026 Manaea tinkers and sometimes operates on instinct and feel. —

Will Sammon, New York Times, 5 June 2026 Chang now operates private dinners, pop-ups and his growing chili oil business, but said food remains closely tied to culture and family identity. —

Kansas City Star, 31 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operates

Verb

This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
Prioritise, which uses AI to surface your most important notifications first, and Summarise, which condenses long chat threads into a quick summary without opening the app.

— Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026