OPERATING Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

operating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tiŋ

Definition of operating

as in operational

being in effective operation the only operating nuclear power plant in the state

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

operating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of operate

as in handling

to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

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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

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as in working

to produce a desired effect the medicine will take an hour or so to operate the first time you use it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in using

to put into action or service wouldn't dream of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol

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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

That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026 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 main reason behind it was an increase in non-operating expenses and higher income tax in the quarter. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022

Verb

Chaparral flew without a pilot onboard while operating under Air Traffic Control oversight, demonstrating its ability to conduct cargo missions within the National Airspace System. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 On Tuesday, Zelenskyy issued an ominous warning to airlines operating in Russia that the risks could continue. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 The Angels, Athletics and Astros are all operating with interim heads of their baseball operations departments. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 This approach is especially important for organizations operating in regulated industries, where compliance teams must approve AI systems before deployment. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 While operating, Joseph shakes off the space madness by recalling La’an’s advice. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 That perspective carried over into her leadership roles at UTLC ERA, a major railway company operating across Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. — Connie Etemadi, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026 One of the most striking details in Samsung's latest earnings report is that its operating profit significantly exceeded market expectations. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Most children are forgotten in cars when caregivers are operating on autopilot mode while juggling several responsibilities at once. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating

Adjective

Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Some industry experts have warned that the SPR will soon reach operational minimums soon, wiping out any further cushion to offset the oil deficit from the Middle East.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of operational

Verb

What those reviews don't capture is the proportion of bookings that complete without incident, which, across platforms handling millions of reservations annually, is considerably higher than review distributions suggest.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Wash hands after handling any pet food and keep children away from pet food dishes and treats.

— Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of handling

Verb

Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Asked about their firm’s primary hurdle in managing the current trade landscape, the vast majority (57 percent) said policy uncertainty, like tariffs changing with little notice, as their foremost challenge.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of managing

Verb

Operators can also continue using diesel when hydrogen supplies are unavailable.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Razorbill brings that experience to one of the industry's most recognizable blade profiles, using extensive CNC machining to make geometry itself part of both the product's performance and its appearance.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of using

Adjective

Also, at least one Dolls doctor, the administrative complaint said, skipped steps in pre-operative risk evaluation of anesthesia and the surgery to be performed or at least failed to document taking each of those steps.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Kiara suddenly has the ability to jump out of cable cars and scale buildings with a CIA-operative level of precision.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of operative

Verb

Immediately, several social media users accused him of running another scheme.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The festival sits on 16 acres and will have more 175 crafters, 50 food and drink booths and 25 stages of entertainment running all day.

— Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of running

Verb

The jumper who was supervising the box that day, Joey Cowen, confirmed the request.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervising

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operatic

operating

operation

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Style

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of operating

adjective

verb

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