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

Despite the danger, there’s no expectation that the smuggling operations will tail off anytime soon. — Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Rebuilding Together aims to scale its operations to complete at least 75 projects this year and reach 200 home repairs annually by 2030. — Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026

The market’s resourcefulness – rerouting oil via pipelines and forcing crude tankers through the strait via complex shuttle and military operations – paid off. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Team president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and first-year coach Dusty May assembled a long, athletic roster that can play. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026