Synonyms of operation

operation

noun

ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

as in mission

a specific task with which a person or group is charged

a secret operation which, if it is discovered, the government will deny any knowledge of

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mission
• job
• assignment
• duty
• business
• responsibility
• post
• requirement
• detail
• brief
• office
• charge
• obligation
• work
• labor
• burden
• need
• commitment
• errand
• designation
• promise
• commission
• chore
• appointment
• nomination
• restraint
• pledge
• constraint
• compulsion

2

as in process

a usually fixed or ordered series of actions or events leading to a result

a specific mathematical operation is required in order to get the correct answer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• process
• procedure
• method
• technique
• course
• proceeding
• system
• manner
• approach
• scheme
• program
• way
• project
• mode
• activity
• strategy
• routine
• arrangement
• plan
• drill
• performance
• design
• functioning
• enterprise
• fashion
• undertaking
• style
• formula
• work
• movement
• layout
• plot
• form
• attainment
• achievement
• recipe
• accomplishment
• blueprint
• game plan
• ground plan

3

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

given the constant threat of robbery, the operation of a convenience store can be quite stressful

Synonyms & Similar Words

• management
• handling
• control
• administration
• supervision
• government
• oversight
• direction
• stewardship
• governance
• presidency
• regulation
• running
• conduct
• leadership
• guidance
• charge
• care
• superintendence
• superintendency
• intendance
• custody
• logistics
• agency
• protection
• engineering
• manipulation
• guardianship
• keeping
• ward
• safekeeping
• generalship
• rulership
• lap
• trust
• tutelage
• aegis
• machination
• codirection
• comanagement
• coadministration

4

as in use

the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose

a considerable amount of training is required for the operation of these new high-tech weapons systems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• application
• exercise
• usage
• employment
• play
• exertion
• reuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disuse
• nonuse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of operation

On Tuesday, Jaissle stood in front of staff from across the club — including those in marketing, accounting, legal and building operations — at an internal ‘town hall’ at St James’ Park. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Internally at the studios, copyright divisions spend their energy targeting larger criminal operations enabling these digital pirates — the hives sharing and disseminating premium content. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Innovation Still Has To Reach The Consumer Watching Justesen recently walk through GN’s United States operation as Sensia was being prepared for market brought back a memory. — Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Downtown College Prep opened its high school there in 2017, but ceased operations in June 2025 due to financial struggles and slumping enrollment. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026