as in operational
being in effective operation
the only operating nuclear power plant in the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in managing
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 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
as in using
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
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Recent Examples of operating
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
—Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Martin and Taylor Grant have lost their California commercial fishing licenses indefinitely, while Gilmer Grant is now prohibited from owning or operating any commercial fishing vessel in the state.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The device is not for users with active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aid implants; users with metallic implants such as stents, bone plates or bone screws at or near the neck; or users operating another device like a TENS unit or muscle stimulator at the same time.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
The chain's oldest continuously-operating restaurant – located in Tallahassee, Florida – had its final day of operation on May 24, according to reporting from the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Federal and local law enforcement officers shut down a massage parlor operating in Brighton Park on Monday.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 3 June 2026
In 2021, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated there were at least 777 digital labor platforms operating globally.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Playing teams operating with considerably lower budgets and less quality meant Palace invariably confronted opponents who sat deep and refused to go toe-to-toe for fear of offering the space in which Palace might flourish in transition.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
When that tipping point is reached, even strong leaders begin operating in survival mode.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Adjective
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
—Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Sudden loss of contact Before communication stopped, telemetry showed the spacecraft operating normally.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Martin and Taylor Grant have lost their California commercial fishing licenses indefinitely, while Gilmer Grant is now prohibited from owning or operating any commercial fishing vessel in the state.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The device is not for users with active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aid implants; users with metallic implants such as stents, bone plates or bone screws at or near the neck; or users operating another device like a TENS unit or muscle stimulator at the same time.
—Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
The chain's oldest continuously-operating restaurant – located in Tallahassee, Florida – had its final day of operation on May 24, according to reporting from the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Federal and local law enforcement officers shut down a massage parlor operating in Brighton Park on Monday.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 3 June 2026
In 2021, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated there were at least 777 digital labor platforms operating globally.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Playing teams operating with considerably lower budgets and less quality meant Palace invariably confronted opponents who sat deep and refused to go toe-to-toe for fear of offering the space in which Palace might flourish in transition.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
When that tipping point is reached, even strong leaders begin operating in survival mode.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
-
But building much larger vessels — the Defiant class is intended to displace roughly 30,000 to 40,000 tons — would only inflate costs and create fatter targets, without offering dramatically new operational capacity.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The entire Starship program, however, is far behind schedule, with 12 launches of the rocket in the past three years—some successful, some not, none qualifying the giant machine as anywhere close to operational.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Pasadena police will be handling the perimeter and directing pedestrians and traffic away from the training area.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The strategy is being driven by the conviction that the future of AI belongs to autonomous agents capable of executing complex, multi-step tasks — such as booking travel or managing calendars — rather than simply answering queries.—
Amedeo Goria,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Appearing on Fox News, Lankford said the nation’s top intelligence post requires a leader with deep experience managing sensitive national security matters and suggested Pulte’s background raises legitimate questions.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The unemployment rate among young people is about twice as high as the national average; and 40% of college grads who are working have taken jobs that don't require a college degree, like temporary or part-time gigs.—
David Pogue,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The reforms would also require some facilities to assess the feasibility of using safer technologies or processes in their work, among other changes.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Zeferjahn had struggled earlier in the season, when the Angels were using him for multiple innings.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
But with less on his schedule this offseason, Brady seems determined to have an operative role in turning the Raiders around.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Post-operative care is provided with a special kit containing shampoos, lotions, and medical products, and the clinic maintains high hygiene standards by sanitizing procedure rooms through ultraviolet technology.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, domestic refiners are running their plants harder than usual to meet fuel demand and competing for barrels, sending the premiums for US crude delivered in Asia higher relative to available Middle Eastern supplies, according to traders.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
Loose silhouettes are key when running around town; relaxed athletic shorts and an equally slouchy button-up work perfectly.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of acting as intermediaries, humans focus on defining policies, supervising system behavior and handling exceptions.—
Krupesh Bhat,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The defendant, 36, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of assaulting children while supervising them in bathrooms, during lunch breaks and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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