operating 1 of 2

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 missions are now operating beyond their original design lives, but scientists say both instruments are in good health. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025 Service begins on May 4, 2026, with flights operating four times a week, departing Charlotte on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025 The vessel was operating in international waters but that added to the murkiness of the legal justification. Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 Blue Frontier is commercializing the technology by integrating it into its Dedicated Outdoor Air System, a 20-ton unit installed in Florida, which controls temperature and humidity while operating primarily during periods of solar photovoltaic production. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025 SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 He was accused of operating an unlicensed hog farm on his property and disposing hog manure in nearby lagoons. Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025 Most overseas platforms have no such issue operating, including other Google products like Gmail and YouTube. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, the foundations have been operating with no formal oversight from the San Dieguito school district — even though the foundations are included in San Dieguito’s own financial audit. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • Soldier feedback from the event is shaping ongoing enhancements to ensure warfighter readiness and operational relevance in dynamic threat environments, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Indeed, those leaders would be remiss not to seek AI operational efficiencies for the benefit of their shareholders.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Best Friend Forever is handling world sales.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Anton is handling worldwide rights and co-repping North American rights with UTA Independent Film Group and Cinetic.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For many leaders, the most significant shift in leadership is not about managing bigger projects or larger teams.
    Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Despite daunting market conditions, America’s youngest generation of adults is managing to break into the housing market in growing numbers.
    Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, working collectively doesn’t always mean things move quickly.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What began as a chance to build a sales team and achieve financial independence turned into a mission to serve working families.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Russian media reports suggested that Putin stopped using the residence from 2024 amid intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In her latest Jo + Tiny Mic series on Instagram, the Texas native shared four of her favorite secrets to instantly elevate a room, and the principles can be perfectly applied to your fall home decor using Gaines’ very own Magnolia collection at Target.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Think of it as even more competition for our time in the present and future, future the operative descriptor in consideration of Anthropic’s $185 billion private valuation.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Some studies have even suggested the drug improves sleep quality in post-operative patients.
    RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After a solid performance in the 2025 opener against Western Michigan, Chiles turned in a breakout performance in an overtime win against Boston College, passing for 231 yards and four touchdowns and running for another score.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Some long-running novelas will be made available on Disney+ either next day or within a month of airing on Atresmedia’s free-to-air channels.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the film starts, Maria is first met supervising a class trip to the local cider factory owned by local burgher Frank (Sean Gilder), whose daughter Pauline (Nia Brown) is in Maria’s class.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Talent shifts from large sets of tier-1 agents to a smaller set of specialists focused on supervising, handling escalations, training, and improving AI systems.
    Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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