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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of operate
That means a Canadian vessel, even on Lake Michigan—where there's no Canadian border—could be operated by foreign nationals with minimal oversight.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The Chinese military has expanded its reach and presence by building advanced warships and operating far from the country's coastline.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
The basis of this argument has been debated because there were, and remain, American companies operating in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Strike aircraft operated by European air forces are certified to carry these bombs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The Chinese military has expanded its reach and presence by building advanced warships and operating far from the country's coastline.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
The basis of this argument has been debated because there were, and remain, American companies operating in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Strike aircraft operated by European air forces are certified to carry these bombs.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
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Mangione handed arriving officers a fake New Jersey ID that was used at the New York City hostel days earlier and was subsequently arrested.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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In this sense, Mario has a permanent weapon to use, rather than needing to seek out power-ups for projectile offense.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The two brands managed just 917,598 sales in 2024, versus 1,343,959 in 2019, according to S&P Global Mobility.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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In the one and only trial run, conducted in 1987, emergency squads managed to erect only a fraction of the necessary infrastructure.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
The Dial,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But while most saw the moment as a liberating one for women, Horsell saw it as another instance of a female playing top-level sport without the necessary support to perform at her best.—
Asif Burhan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Those working for the government as special government employees are not paid by the federal government and can continue to collect payment from outside entities while performing their work for the government, which Warren and Stansbury say runs the risk of creating possible conflicts of interest.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Denim veteran Piero Turk plugged into his roots in Italian luxury with garments that utilized the comfort of stretch denim without fitting tight on the body.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Apr. 2025
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Although the story is fictional, the movie does offer some insight into the highly secretive voting process the Roman Catholic Church utilizes to choose a new pontiff.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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During a press conference on Wednesday, the China Manned Space Agency announced the astronaut selected will be a payload specialist, handling daily tasks during the mission, as well as scientific experiments for Pakistan.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
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But as Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his second term, most Americans are expressing little to no confidence in how the president is handling the economy, a Pew Research Center survey shows.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But, because the government would need time to craft new rules and infrastructure, the court would temporarily supervise the detention of minors.—
Jack Herrera,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2025
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Holmes argues the church failed to supervise Lorch and, worse yet, retained him, thus enabling Lorch to allegedly inflict even more harms.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Thematically, the fractured friendship works well in a story that is so much about the joys of friendship and the pain of a camaraderie betrayed.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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Trading Warren and some other top prospects for Alcántara could work, but what next?—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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The proposal would apply to single parents earning up to $100,000 per year and couples earning up to $200,000 per year.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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