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 Beyond rocket production, Blue Origin operates facilities across Cocoa, Melbourne, Orlando, and Titusville. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Djrum is the rare DJ who operates almost entirely outside the world of genre; his sets swing from breakcore to IDM, jungle to techno, garage to field recordings to—well—whatever, really, depending on mood. — Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026 De Soto data center Digital Realty is a global real estate company that owns and operates data centers. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 While Hurtigruten operates coastal voyages calling at towns and communities along the route, HX offers expedition-style experiences with a focus on exploring the natural environment. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Södra represents more than 50,000 family forest owners in Sweden and operates businesses spanning pulp, timber, building systems, energy and biochemicals. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Netflix operates the historic Paris Theater in NYC and owns the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Plush Burger operates out of a catering kitchen in Curtis Park. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 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
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
  • American Transmission Company, a utility firm that develops and manages high-voltage transmission lines, has seen rapid growth, in part thanks to the AI and data center buildout.
    — Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The firm manages the cable’s arrival on France’s Atlantic coast and integrates it into Europe’s terrestrial network.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 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
  • Request the treating physician’s name and qualifications, then ask who performs each stage and how the physician supervises the team.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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