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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

More than 4,000 of the electric buses are now operating across the country. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The model targets fleets operating at least 10 natural gas trucks or those planning conversions of similar size. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 These systems must be compact, power-efficient, software-defined and capable of operating in a radiation-heavy environment. — Ben Topor, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The newspaper also reported investigators suspect the second flying object that struck the cargo aircraft may have been operating as a surveillance drone, possibly carrying a camera intended to record an attack. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 The city is proposing nearly doubling that rate, saying the increase is needed to cover inflation and the rising costs of operating and maintaining the network. — Bryant Reed, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Adelkoff has led the 1736 FCC since 1984, growing it from an organization with a $200,000 annual budget into a nonprofit operating six shelters, multiple hotlines and dozens of volunteers. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Cline said the ordinance would work alongside existing enforcement that allows the city to revoke or withhold licenses to businesses and allows police to issue citations to illegally operating businesses. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 The force, which is still operating below its target of 5,500 personnel, also recently conducted operations in Delmas where it was also confronted by armed groups. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating

Adjective

As airlines promote their eco-friendly initiatives this summer, experts advise looking past the marketing to find companies making genuine operational changes.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
With characterization finished, GRETA is entering its regular operational phase as a primary instrument for FRIB users.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of operational

Verb

The Raiders are managing a knee ailment that caused McCoy to drop to the fourth round in April’s NFL Draft.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Katsis was adept at managing major live acts, overseeing rollouts like Backstreet Boys’ Into the Millennium Tour and helping morph Korn and Limp Bizkit into perennial arena acts.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of managing

Verb

Knitwear made from thin, airy materials or designed with an oversized fit is ideal for providing the touch of warmth needed on cool summer nights, while also working well with extra layers when fall weather arrives.

— Natalie LaBarbera, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
So, before summer ended, Herman and his staff were working with the basketball teams, too.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of working

Verb

Clay regularly advises organizations on using existential psychology and behavioral science to improve their products, services, and workplace culture.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
When South Korea’s stock market plummeted last month by more than 40% from its June high, Yun said data suggested that many traders who were using leverage to try and multiply returns were wiped out.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of using

Verb

Persistent heatwaves are not only driving up the cost of keeping society running and disrupting companies' production and operations, but are also putting pressure on European economic growth.

— , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
There are also plenty of trainers – two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert among them – who rarely balk at running Derby winners back two weeks later in the Preakness.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of running

Verb

What used to be just a one-button trigger to call up an app has evolved into a multi-button, multi-input device for supervising and orchestrating multiple AI tools and agents at once.

— Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
Corrupt naval officers turned ports they were supposed to be supervising into bribe-laden smuggling hubs, authorities say.

— Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervising

Browse Nearby Words

operatic

operating

operation

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of operating

adjective

verb

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