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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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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The bonus bets will be separate wagers that do not have to be used on the same market.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Despite Nick Bosa coming in with nine sacks, the rest of the team only managed a collective 28 more.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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The 28-year-old victim managed to escape the apartment on May 23 and flagged down a traffic agent, who contacted police, a second police source said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 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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The subjects could only perform those tasks while wearing the special contact lenses.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Treatments include massages utilizing a mixture of orange, clove, ginger and seaweed, or emulating the movements of the sea to relieve muscular tension; a seaweed leaf wrap to soften and nourish the skin and skin renewal facials.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Rather than matching in this instance, consider plant growth forms and whether the potential shade generated can be utilized.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Verb
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With his former defense attorneys now working for the government, Trump earlier this year tapped the elite Manhattan law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell to handle his criminal appeal.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
30 May 2025
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Steve Klein, who has been executive director of the Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Education Center in Louisburg, Kansas for over a decade, has encountered numerous cases where owners were unprepared or ill-equipped to handle exotic animals.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Gray supervised a special housing unit at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, prosecutors said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2025
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There’s similar apprehension about the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal that’s meant to supervise judges in office.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
31 May 2025
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His mother worked as a doctor in China, and juggled three jobs in the U.S. for over a decade, saving up enough to eventually open a medical clinic.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Alaska Airlines is a U.S. airline, so do U.S. rules apply?—
Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2025
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Learn it, apply it and don’t wait to know everything.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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