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
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
The annual operating budget of the district is $73 million, of which salaries and benefits are $53 million, according to the district. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 The company’s bid fell apart last year, however, after a last-minute item was inserted into the state budget transferring the station’s operating permit to the Department of Administrative Services — thus keeping it out of private hands. John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026 Now in its second year of operating commercially, its 12 turbines can send enough power to New York for more than 70,000 homes. Jennifer McDermott, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026 Federal prosecutors indicted 22 people earlier this month in a wide-ranging gambling and extortion ring operating out of Gino’s Steakhouse in Merrillville and Paragon in Hobart. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 However, a draft environmental impact statement in 2020 found that operating the louder planes out of Gowen Field could make hundreds of nearby homes unlivable, according to previous Statesman reporting. Hali Smith april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026 Copper Creek Inn Touted as the oldest continually operating restaurant in the state, this Ashford-area eatery has been keeping hikers and locals satiated since 1946 with its hearty diner fare like burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials. Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026 The investor was trying to make a deal with the Swiss company operating lucrative mines in Central Africa. Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Licata said the district has been operating as if it’s been serving about 85,000-90,000 students — the enrollment it was built for — rather than the roughly 66,500 expected to enroll the coming fall. Samuel O’Neal April 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • Valerii’s first task each evening was to read the operational log.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The building was closed in the immediate aftermath, but the rest of the plant remained operational, and the tornado did not derail the production launch, the company said.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Chicago Park District has already introduced a new approach to handling some beach lots as the season gets closer.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Despite its affordable £15,000 price tag, the company insists the robot is a tool to empower workers rather than replace them, handling routine tasks so humans can tackle more complex, collaborative challenges.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Stafford is 38 and managing degenerative back issues.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Micky Arison is listed as managing general partner.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The National Conflict Resolution Center has hosted this event for 38 years now, to recognize individuals and organizations working with passion and purpose toward a better future for all Americans.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Clear, kind boundaries keep things working.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sadie Benning and Michael Almereyda have found ghostly, evocative textures using Pixelvision, a Fisher-Price toy camera from the late 1980s.
    Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Redick worked with James’ trainer Mike Mancias to ensure his 41-year-old star’s durability in the final aughts of the game – the four-time NBA MVP eventually playing a team-high 45 minutes while using any opportunity to sink to the floor for a breather.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • From 2021 to 2023, about two-thirds of adults over 65 had hypertension, according to the operative definition at the time.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Endless is the operative word at Lavo Italian Restaurant’s weekend brunch, where the traditional sit-down meal gives way to a high‑energy, indulgent experience that feels unmistakably Vegas.
    USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • All this in an environment where politicians like Jeff Bridges (running for state treasurer who lives in the Cherry Creek school district) whine and snivel about his associates in the teachers’ union not having the funds to effectively teach our kids.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The current controller, Malia Cohen, was elected in 2022 and is running for reelection against two candidates, union leader Meghann Adams and Herb Morgan, a chief investment officer.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chavez, a 78-year-old retiree who worked as a foreman supervising construction at the site, also disappeared in May 2025, according to Los Alamos police.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Goldwyn served as writer and supervising producer on Emily in Paris, and writer on SMILF and Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, among others.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on operating

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster