as in operational
being in effective operation
the only operating nuclear power plant in the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in managing
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
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
as in using
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
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
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
—Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Playing teams operating with considerably lower budgets and less quality meant Palace invariably confronted opponents who sat deep and refused to go toe-to-toe for fear of offering the space in which Palace might flourish in transition.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Last year, when SDN was still known as MILNET, a Space Force commander responsible for operating the military’s communications satellites said the network would comprise some 480 satellites operated by SpaceX and overseen by a military mission director.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
One investigation examined the business and financial records of every hospice currently operating in Los Angeles County, applying the same indicators identified by state auditors as potential red flags for fraud.
—Laura Geller, CBS News, 27 May 2026
When that tipping point is reached, even strong leaders begin operating in survival mode.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Net profits totaled $254 million while the operating margin expanded 280 basis points to 6 percent.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
But there wasn’t anyone operating in the same space as Grande.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
He is being lined up to be an understudy/support for central midfielder Enzo Fernandez, rather than operating on the flanks.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
—Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
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
In 2021, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated there were at least 777 digital labor platforms operating globally.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Playing teams operating with considerably lower budgets and less quality meant Palace invariably confronted opponents who sat deep and refused to go toe-to-toe for fear of offering the space in which Palace might flourish in transition.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Last year, when SDN was still known as MILNET, a Space Force commander responsible for operating the military’s communications satellites said the network would comprise some 480 satellites operated by SpaceX and overseen by a military mission director.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
One investigation examined the business and financial records of every hospice currently operating in Los Angeles County, applying the same indicators identified by state auditors as potential red flags for fraud.
—Laura Geller, CBS News, 27 May 2026
When that tipping point is reached, even strong leaders begin operating in survival mode.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Net profits totaled $254 million while the operating margin expanded 280 basis points to 6 percent.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
But there wasn’t anyone operating in the same space as Grande.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
He is being lined up to be an understudy/support for central midfielder Enzo Fernandez, rather than operating on the flanks.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
-
But building much larger vessels — the Defiant class is intended to displace roughly 30,000 to 40,000 tons — would only inflate costs and create fatter targets, without offering dramatically new operational capacity.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The entire Starship program, however, is far behind schedule, with 12 launches of the rocket in the past three years—some successful, some not, none qualifying the giant machine as anywhere close to operational.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Higher-Level Human Work The real value of AI starts with efficiency by handling repetitive tasks, freeing workers to focus on more strategic, creative and judgment-driven activities, such as higher-quality decision-making and revenue generation.—
Ameya Kanitkar,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Ebola is transmitted via bodily fluids, so treating sick patients and handling the deceased should only be done by healthcare teams in protective suits.—
Tom Soufi Burridge,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
White can point to patterns and minutes restrictions, and there is a reasonable basketball explanation for managing Boston's workload.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
The Spurs’ defense was incredibly connected, aggressively rotating on and off SGA doubles and managing not to get exposed on the back end.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Advocacy is rising in a similar fashion around AI with initiatives like the No Fakes Act, a bill championed by SAG-AFTRA and others in Hollywood that is is working its way through Congress.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
-
Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have been working together in the last week at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 75 miles north of the capital, Vientiane.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The reforms would also require some facilities to assess the feasibility of using safer technologies or processes in their work, among other changes.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Zeferjahn had struggled earlier in the season, when the Angels were using him for multiple innings.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Post-operative care is provided with a special kit containing shampoos, lotions, and medical products, and the clinic maintains high hygiene standards by sanitizing procedure rooms through ultraviolet technology.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
And with knee surgeries, rehab is most important in the early stages of post-operative recovery.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
But at the State meet, officials alternated between sticking to the normal race schedule and running the 2 mile early in the meet and the mile later as had been the case in 1974 at the State meet in Bakersfield.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The tiny house also has several optional upgrades available, including running fully off-grid.—
Adam Williams
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of acting as intermediaries, humans focus on defining policies, supervising system behavior and handling exceptions.—
Krupesh Bhat,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The defendant, 36, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of assaulting children while supervising them in bathrooms, during lunch breaks and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
