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
The only other blemish was a lighter operating margin, resulting in a miss on operating income. CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026 The cost of launching satellites to space is coming down just as the costs of building and operating AI data centers on earth are rising. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 Berlin has fewer wealthy residents than Munich or Düsseldorf, and many of its homegrown brands remain small, leaving founders fearful of the rising costs of operating a store. Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026 The chain's 14 other locations are expected to be converted over the next 12-18 months, and are expected to stay open and operating until conversions begin. Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026 But on the flip side of that argument, those TV divisions are operating just fine and don’t need an extra layer of oversight. Michael Schneider, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 Having gone through several phases over the past century (including operating as an adult movie theater in the early ’70s), the Highland struggled to bounce back after the Covid pandemic, closing its doors in 2024. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026 Safety monitors are also still in front-passenger seats of virtually all robotaxis operating in Austin. Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026 The company’s primary advertising engine is operating effectively. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • Especially to help contribute to our significant capital and operational costs, and even some of our more unusual but rare £130 losses.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • This includes deploying multiple AI agents that mirror real operational workflows and drive efficiency across clinical, administrative, and financial domains.
    David Chou, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One case his office is handling involves a refugee who was pulled over in traffic and detained by ICE officers soon after leaving home.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • People handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects, the company said.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Experts recommend managing chronic stress with mindfulness, meditation and consistent physical activity to help lower cortisol levels and support healthier metabolic function and weight regulation, per Cleveland Clinic.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Peterson, who missed the last game due to an ankle sprain and is still managing cramping issues, played 20 minutes, with just three coming in the second half.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In Seeking Shelter, Jeff Hobbs exposes the scourge of homelessness that’s tearing apart working families.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • The Las Vegas Raiders are working toward finalizing an agreement to make Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak their head coach, a person with knowledge of the discussions said Sunday.
    MARK ANDERSON, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Though Amelia is a particularly viral example, using AI to generate content was already a popular pastime for the online right in Britain.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Those who bought the checks would then attempt to fraudulently cash them, according to federal prosecutors, using a variety of methods.
    Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Seems is the operative word here.
    Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In a deep plane breast consultation, there’s also no need for traditional intra-operative sizing, sitting the patient up, or even extensive adjustments.
    Essence, Essence, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Columbus blanked the Blackhawks on their two power-play chances, running their string of futility to 26 man-advantages and 10 games without a goal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • On January 30, the 38-year-old pop star was photographed running an errand in a classic white t-shirt and baggy blue jeans, unbothered by the way her relaxed denim pooled around her thin flip-flops.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The first demos had obvious chase cars supervising the operations.
    Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Duneland also brought its special education programs in-house, changing its relationship with the Porter County Education Services, which had been supervising special education teachers.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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