1
2
as in to manage
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
4
as in to utilize
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
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Recent Examples of operate
This is partly because of TikTok, which has completely changed the way music streaming (and a song’s popularity) operates.
—
Taylor Crumpton, Time, 22 May 2025
Even with the extra funds, Taiwan faces bottlenecks in buying the right weapons and keeping enough troops with the skills to operate them.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The media giant operates across more than 220 countries and territories in 50 languages through its portfolio of brands including Discovery Channel, Max, CNN, HBO, and others.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2025
Delta operates the world’s largest single airline hub at Atlanta.
—Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Taylor Crumpton, Time, 22 May 2025
Even with the extra funds, Taiwan faces bottlenecks in buying the right weapons and keeping enough troops with the skills to operate them.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The media giant operates across more than 220 countries and territories in 50 languages through its portfolio of brands including Discovery Channel, Max, CNN, HBO, and others.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2025
Delta operates the world’s largest single airline hub at Atlanta.
—Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
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These jangly contradictions, presented as truths, are designed to rattle and rewire our brains; just think how easily a corrupt authoritarian leader could put them to use, and how readily a not-thinking public could fall right in line.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 May 2025
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Educators will have canoes and kayaks, paddles and life jackets to use and will offer instruction.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Russell tried to console Elissa and somehow managed to keep himself composed, holding up both of them through the disappointment.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Meanwhile, a personal tragedy shakes Colin into consciousness, the only element that manages to pierce Ray’s exterior long enough to let his sub in.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Verb
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This has forced the library system to pay a contractor $1,500 per month to power-wash the area outside the branch twice a week during the morning hours after previously relying on in-house personnel to perform the task.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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Most zinnias perform better in nutrient-rich soil, so place them several feet away from your corn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Verb
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By utilizing this, managers can reevaluate the expenditure in relation to current priorities, determine whether existing resources can be repurposed and prevent reactive decisions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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The technical restoration process utilized the original camera and sound negatives as primary source elements, with work completed at the specialized facility L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The person said contractors are deeply embedded in FOIA processing across some federal agencies, with contracting staff handling nearly every step of the process: drafting acknowledgment letters, collecting and reviewing records, applying redactions, and preparing final responses.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2025
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Multiple dialogue options suggest multiple ways to handle story scenarios.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
18 May 2025
Verb
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In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.—
Christopher O’Donnell,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
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Shamkhani said that if a deal were to take place, Iran would not make nuclear weapons, would reduce stockpiles of enriched uranium to a level only needed for civilian use, and would allow international inspectors to supervise the process.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The job demanded long hours on my feet and working with my hands.—
Health,
Health,
20 May 2025
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Truman graduated from Texas Tech six months ago and now works for the Texas Senate under Senator Brian Birdwell on the border security committee.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The same applies to the other numbers noted in the study, 6835, 7637, 8093, and 9629.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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With just two weeks to WWDC 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the UI overhaul will be applied to all of Apple’s operating systems, not just iOS or macOS.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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