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
SkyWest Airlines was operating a regional Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Minot International Airport in North Dakota, when the military plane apparently appeared without warning.
—
Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Another bill filed by Hastings earlier this year would require homeowner and auto insurers operating in Illinois to maintain a website that showed a summary of each year’s premium rate changes, as well as rate change data going back five years.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
These competitors often operate with striking similarity to your brand—similar names, logos, menu items or service offerings—while remaining technically compliant with local intellectual property laws.
—Mohaimina Haque, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 2025
SkyWest Flight 3788, operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis, was preparing to descend into the airport in Minot, N.D., on Friday evening when the flight crew spotted a chilling sight: A large military aircraft — a B-52 Stratofortress — was flying toward them on a converging route.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 July 2025
Another bill filed by Hastings earlier this year would require homeowner and auto insurers operating in Illinois to maintain a website that showed a summary of each year’s premium rate changes, as well as rate change data going back five years.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
These competitors often operate with striking similarity to your brand—similar names, logos, menu items or service offerings—while remaining technically compliant with local intellectual property laws.
—Mohaimina Haque, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
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Trump has used Section 232 for steel and aluminum tariffs, which hit major trading partners like Canada and the European Union, and most recently copper.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
31 July 2025
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Residents can also use AirNow, a part of the U.S. Air Quality Index, and check local conditions by searching their ZIP Code or city.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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He was transferred to Hospice Austin's Christopher House, where his nausea and pain are being managed.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The Trump administration has slashed funding for parks, fired park workers and ordered changes to the way parks are managed.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Cauley is on her own tour, performing four shows a week in different cities across the U.S., and will be headlining at Zanie's Comedy Club on July 31.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
22 July 2025
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Then, Tems performed at the FIFA World Cup in a red and gold makeup look.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 July 2025
Verb
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But McDaniels kept utilizing big formations even when Hooper was out, which suggests the Patriots will likely lean on a lot of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) this season.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
30 July 2025
Verb
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The next court hearing, Dugan said, could be handled over Zoom.—
Daniel Bice,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Creator Matt Groening was joined by Cohen, as well as executive producers Claudia Katz and Ken Keeler, supervising director Peter Avanzino, and Futurama stars Billy West (Fry, the Professor, Zoidberg), Lauren Tom (Amy), Phil LaMarr (Hermes), David Herman (Scruffy) and Maurice LaMarche (Kif).—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
26 July 2025
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Under the new rules, the cultivation of medical cannabis will be supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, while processing, export, licensing, registration, and authorization for sale will fall under the oversight of the Ministry of Health.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Kathleen Kovach, who previously worked for Summit County's victim assistance program (2003).—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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The start-up, which is today announcing a $9 million funding round, says its agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help leading market research firms work more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Upgrades were applied to both the passive and active components, enhancing the overall integrity of the existing ESL 2812 and ESL 2912 models.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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In 2019, some homeowners mounted a campaign to rescind a designation applied to a triangle of blocks bounded by Dade Boulevard, Meridian Avenue, 17th Street and Lenox Court.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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