operating 1 of 2

Definition of operatingnext

operating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of operate
1
as in handling
to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in working
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

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 operating
Adjective
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million. Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income. Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023 Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022 Known for many years for its great and famous passenger trains, the last regularly scheduled FECR passenger train ran on July 31, 1968, due to the work stoppage by the non-operating unions that began on January 22, 1963. Seth H. Bramson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022 On Monday, as Hasbro released its fourth quarter earnings, the toy maker recorded a $41.3 million net non-cash, non-operating charge associated with the company’s investment in the Discovery Family Channel. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2022
Verb
Vendors would also be restricted from operating within 500 feet of freeway on-ramps or off-ramps. Conor McGill, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 2,000 immigration agents are operating in the Twin Cities area. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026 Advocates have been at odds with the city for years over the state of their beloved shelter, prompting an audit that confirmed the validity of many of their concerns about mismanagement, operating over capacity and inadequate care. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026 The health beat takes her inside operating rooms, laboratories and clinics to tell the story of health care from a human perspective. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026 Amarnath told Fortune the political rhetoric around reshoring often obscures the reality facing manufacturers operating in the present tense. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026 Today, tens of thousands are operating across the country, often extending Wi-Fi signals across entire buildings or neighborhoods while concealing the origin of the signal. Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 14 Jan. 2026 These incidents demonstrate that federal agents are engaging in excessive force, unlawful detention, denial of due process, and other abuses while operating with relative impunity. Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Renee Good was killed while operating a vehicle that agents ordered her to exit, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • Resilience has now flown four of those; the capsule also conducted Crew-1, SpaceX first operational astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA, as well as Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, the company's first and most recent private crew launches to Earth orbit, respectively.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • With the final maneuver complete, Carruthers has entered its operational orbit.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Oreca is handling all chassis work as well as some aero and design work for the Ford prototype.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Her mother accompanied her to appointments, managing logistics and providing emotional support.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments.
    Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hardemon, working with Miami City Commission Chairwoman Christine King and CRA Executive Director James McQueen, imagined a future that put Overtown at the center of art and innovation.
    Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Not working with the federal agency is not the response the City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee wanted to hear.
    Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On her birthday, Kate released the last of her Mother Nature videos on social media, using the platform to promote her message of being outside among wildlife and open spaces as a key to her wellbeing and recovery from her cancer treatment.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • If dealing with persistent scum, create a paste using vinegar and baking soda, apply it, and leave it for 20 minutes before wiping it clean.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Budanov, who has survived numerous assassination attempts, began his career as a special forces operative and served in the east after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and its proxies took over Ukraine’s eastern fringes.
    Reuters 6 hr ago, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
  • Their pre-operative assessment involves a thorough analysis of the airway.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The attention has also led to a few funny moments, including running into friends and colleagues who were shocked to recognize the family from a viral video.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • These running sneakers are perfect for anyone running or walking long distances.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hospitals also can bill patients’ insurance for services provided by residents, though not for the time that established doctors spend supervising them.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Moench served as a staff writer on Season 1 of Apple TV’s Severance and was upped to supervising producer for Season 2.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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