operating 1 of 2

operating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of operate
1
as in handling
to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in working
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

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
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 adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income. Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023 Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2022 Known for many years for its great and famous passenger trains, the last regularly scheduled FECR passenger train ran on July 31, 1968, due to the work stoppage by the non-operating unions that began on January 22, 1963. Seth H. Bramson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022 On Monday, as Hasbro released its fourth quarter earnings, the toy maker recorded a $41.3 million net non-cash, non-operating charge associated with the company’s investment in the Discovery Family Channel. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2022
Verb
The organization is the eighth oldest Boys and Girls Club operating in the United States and has produced more national Youth of the Year winners than any other club. Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025 Charges against him included driving nearly 40 mph over the speed limit, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving on the left side of the road. Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 In 2025, Singapore introduced regulations requiring platforms operating in Singapore offering products such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins or tokenized equities, to customers outside the city-state, to be licensed. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025 The Garibaldi is capable of operating up to 16 aircraft, and during its service in the NATO member's navy, it was outfitted with Harriers and a mix of naval helicopters. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 While some states are already operating with NG911 and others are partially rolled out, many areas, especially rural ones, are still in planning. Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025 Each of these is a separate spectrometer, operating on different principles and designed for a different range of neutron flux intensities. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025 The missions are now operating beyond their original design lives, but scientists say both instruments are in good health. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025 SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
Adjective
  • After launch, the team transferred control of the Switchblade from a user in the MQ-9A’s ground control station to a user on the ground nearer the operational area.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
  • There’s no getting around Bryce Young’s three turnovers; no getting around the offense’s operational issues.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Rinzel seems uniquely well-suited to handling it.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • As their team and systems scale, so too will their ability to serve multi-market investors who want a unified team handling all of their short-term rental assets.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For many leaders, the most significant shift in leadership is not about managing bigger projects or larger teams.
    Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Despite daunting market conditions, America’s youngest generation of adults is managing to break into the housing market in growing numbers.
    Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, working collectively doesn’t always mean things move quickly.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • What began as a chance to build a sales team and achieve financial independence turned into a mission to serve working families.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Harvest Facial showcases Napa’s LIV + GRACE SKINCARE, using a soothing pumpkin enzyme mask to bring out autumn radiance.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Think of it as even more competition for our time in the present and future, future the operative descriptor in consideration of Anthropic’s $185 billion private valuation.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Some studies have even suggested the drug improves sleep quality in post-operative patients.
    RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hochul is running for a second term as New York’s governor.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Traditional shoe testing depends on athletes running multiple sessions across weeks to produce a usable dataset.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Members of a German team that had manufactured the cross were present, supervising Catalan workers who were preparing to install it.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Charlie Plummer star as some of the young boys in this gnarly competition while Mark Hamill is the Major, the menacing officer supervising the walk.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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