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
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
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Beautiful two children during the day while waiting tables at night as her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Different accrediting bodies have different requirements, but already having students, operating as a school and proving financial stability are typical benchmarks.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Charter Communications has appointed Nick Jeffery as its chief operating officer to lead marketing and sales and field and customer operations across Spectrum’s residential, business and entertainment services.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Knox is the former chief operating officer of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Fourteen are now operating with two or fewer permanent judges.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Dickens chalks the success of Azalea Fresh Market up to the fact that the city isn’t directly owning and operating the store itself.
—Bryce Covert, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Feb. 2026
He was arrested on charges of operating under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
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
The service Service here strikes that elusive balance between formal and familiar—the staff embodying Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) while operating with polished international flair.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026
Beautiful two children during the day while waiting tables at night as her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Different accrediting bodies have different requirements, but already having students, operating as a school and proving financial stability are typical benchmarks.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Charter Communications has appointed Nick Jeffery as its chief operating officer to lead marketing and sales and field and customer operations across Spectrum’s residential, business and entertainment services.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Knox is the former chief operating officer of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Fourteen are now operating with two or fewer permanent judges.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
Dickens chalks the success of Azalea Fresh Market up to the fact that the city isn’t directly owning and operating the store itself.
—Bryce Covert, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Feb. 2026
He was arrested on charges of operating under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
-
Protecting critical cable infrastructure NKT has announced that the T3600 subsea trencher is scheduled to be commercially operational in 2027.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
That often doesn’t include operational costs like packaging and transportation, which have risen in the last year.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Restaurant workers handling dead roaches and not noticing enough rodent poop to fill a human toilet lowlight this week’s Sick and Shut Down List of South Florida restaurants failing inspection.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Businesses handling sensitive data demand stable and predictable outputs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Local departments of social services were also cited for weaknesses in managing bank accounts, following procurement rules, monitoring contracts and ensuring lawful disbursements.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Other lifestyle habits like staying active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress may lower your risk of disease, too.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to a statement, a working knowledge of surgical procedures would have been necessary, as the Pazyryk lived in harsh conditions that threatened their lives.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Their analysis also adjusts their net workforce inflow numbers by estimating the volume of working age adults not encountered by federal agents.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Such batteries are also much easier and safer to dispose of, and can potentially be made using cheaper and less rare materials.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Could is no longer the operative word here.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Supporting them is a multilingual team that assists patients throughout the entire journey, from start to finish, from consultation to post-operative care.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a poor clearance by Miami, Stephen Eustáquio stole the ball and quickly passed to Son, who saw David Martínez running and sent a deep pass for him.—
Jad El Reda
Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Several rallies have taken place at universities in the Iranian capital, Tehran, for the second day running.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To achieve that, supervising sound editor Nelson Ferreira recorded Elordi’s ADR at a high resolution of 96K to enable Robitaille to push and distort the voice without adding artifacts.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Team player representatives, the overall group supervising negotiations, voted 26-4 in favor, leaving the overall ballot at 26-12 for ratification.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
