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

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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 Athletic’s player roles analysis uses nearly 40 metrics to analyse players across Europe’s top five leagues, identifying patterns that can help to bucket those who perform similarly in their style.
    — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 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
  • The spa is intimate rather than sprawling, but the combination of treatments, nail bar, gym, and quiet pool deck works well for a restorative stay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nina Smith, a former Buttigieg adviser who now works closely with progressive causes, disagreed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 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
  • At night, Voltaire handles intimate, high-production shows (pop divas and burlesque), while TAO and other venues are for the party people.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The final-mile carrier then handles what is essentially a local shipment, rather than transporting the package across the country itself.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 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
  • However, these uses remain future possibilities, and the team plans to test how the material performs in device-relevant forms.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Ogbonnaya, who performs under his first name, will be on the bill; so will No-Fi RPM, a live-mixing series that Curran and Farlee run with collaborators Estevan Medina, Dillon Kelley and Patrick Mitchell.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of performs
Verb
  • Nissan The upcoming US version of the Rogue utilizes a specialized variable-compression turbo engine designed to maintain peak electrical generation efficiency at high American highway speeds, aiming for a real-world rating somewhere over 40 mpg.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Biolyz isn’t the only biomarker test Leverkusen uses; the team also utilizes capillary blood draws through the fingertip or earlobe.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of operates for Spanish Speakers

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