operating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tiŋ How to pronounce operating (audio)
Definition of operatingnext
as in operational
being in effective operation the only operating nuclear power plant in the state

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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

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2
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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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

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4
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
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
Verb
This leaves executive leadership operating in a data vacuum, stripped of the proactive insights needed to map future capabilities, drive transformation or build a future-ready enterprise. — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 As a major bloc that has been able to apply pressure, the union has thwarted several efforts by Mamdani’s predecessors to ban the attraction, as hundreds of carriage operators make a living operating the buggies. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for operating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operating
  1. operational
  2. handling
  3. managing
  4. working
  5. using
  6. operative
  7. running
  8. supervising
Adjective
  • In a June 2026 paper titled When AI Builds Itself, Anthropic warned that the recursive loop has moved from science fiction to operational reality faster than the company itself expected.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Commercial operations will begin once STUK completes its pending pre-operational inspection on a date yet to be determined.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of operational
Verb
  • Employee did not wash hands after handling raw food and changing gloves, before handling ready to eat foods.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • About one-quarter of AAPI adults approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president overall.
    — Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of handling
Verb
  • By contrast, recent restrictions or delays suggest a greater emphasis on managing relations with Beijing and avoiding unnecessary escalation.
    — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • My experience includes managing campaigns, leading teams, and building relationships with community leaders.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of managing
Verb
  • Each time a shutter fires, and each time a tire squeals, involves countless pieces working together to deliver a smooth outcome.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Linn County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, but the church barred Moore from working with children, youth and vulnerable adults.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of working
Verb
  • With loans, there is an expectation that the campaign — using donor funds — will pay the candidate back, said Shanna Ports, a senior legal counsel for the nonpartisan watchdog group Campaign Legal Center.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Learning from human demonstrations offers another way to develop skills by using examples of how a task should be performed.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of using
Adjective
  • Post-operative test results to confirm whether the pope is completely cancer-free and what, if any, treatment is needed have not been released yet.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Vatican says post-operative blood tests and a chest X-ray show no immediate complications.
    — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of operative
Verb
  • Every summer, the state plays host to the largest, longest-running citizen bike tour in the world.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of running
Verb
  • His daughter gradually took over supervising much of the team's management and became CEO in August 1998 after her father was elected commissioner.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervising

Browse Nearby Words

operatic
operating
operation
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Cite this Entry

“Operating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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