1
2
as in manages
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 works
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 applies
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 operates
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, which operates the jail, declined to comment citing pending litigation.
—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The organization operates in 44 countries and all 50 states, reaching roughly a million people a year.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The plaintiffs argue that the way the government operates the dams violates the Endangered Species Act, and over decades of litigation judges have repeatedly ordered changes to help the fish.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
This process, called the solar dynamo, operates deep below the surface.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
That spirit led him to cofound Hummingbird Resources a year earlier, which began as a grassroots exploration company and today operates mines in three West African countries.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2026
The canal, completed in 1914, operates 24/7, like a conveyor belt, passing vessels back and forth between the oceans.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Payton operates with a similar philosophy, having shown elasticity in embracing analytics, rest and recovery methods and modern technology.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Turmoil at Main Street Sports Group, which operates the FanDuel Sports Network RSNs, could lead more teams to do the same.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2026
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The organization operates in 44 countries and all 50 states, reaching roughly a million people a year.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The plaintiffs argue that the way the government operates the dams violates the Endangered Species Act, and over decades of litigation judges have repeatedly ordered changes to help the fish.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
This process, called the solar dynamo, operates deep below the surface.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
That spirit led him to cofound Hummingbird Resources a year earlier, which began as a grassroots exploration company and today operates mines in three West African countries.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2026
The canal, completed in 1914, operates 24/7, like a conveyor belt, passing vessels back and forth between the oceans.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Payton operates with a similar philosophy, having shown elasticity in embracing analytics, rest and recovery methods and modern technology.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Turmoil at Main Street Sports Group, which operates the FanDuel Sports Network RSNs, could lead more teams to do the same.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operates
Verb
-
Instead of treating touch as a simple raw pressure input, the system uses neuromorphic encoding (modeled from biological nerves) to translate force into rapid electrical spikes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Bell-Johnson is known as One Leg and uses a prosthetic limb after losing his leg as a child in a train accident.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hongkong Land remains one of the largest landlords in Central; the developer manages about $50 billion of assets overall.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This layer assigns goals, manages priorities, and optimizes overall operations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The average American now works about four years longer than during the 1980s, according to Gallup polling.—
Paige Winfield Cunningham The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Containing everyday shoes is one of the trickiest feats in a home, but a system that works for the whole family keeps the chaos contained.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But ultrarunning officials worry WADA may not be considering how point two—the ability to cause harm—applies to the unique demands of the sport.—
Dan England,
Outside,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Avoiding paying the tax for this season delays when the Magic could get hit with the repeater tax, which applies to teams that have been above the league’s tax line for at least three of the previous four seasons.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite its compact form factor, the Pi handles a substantial workload.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Goodfellas handles worldwide sales excluding Japan, Taiwan, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, CIS and Syria.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez works at an after-school program in Orange County and supervises third graders.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The position directly supervises all parole agent specialists and parole agent supervisors assigned to the Division of Training Unit.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pivotal says years of real-world flight data across its fleet continue to shape how the aircraft performs.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Charlie Puth performs during the Grammy Awards salute to the Beach Boys, on April 9, 2023, on the CBS Television Network.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ecological and economical practicality By replacing fossil-fuel boilers with a system that utilizes electricity when prices are at their lowest, companies can finally align their ecological goals with economic practicality.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Aristidou utilizes Danae, whose controlling dad suffocates her with his seemingly overbearing rigidness, as a counterpoint to the other extreme of fatherhood.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Operates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operates. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
