OPERATIONAL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

operational

adjective

ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of operational

as in operating

being in effective operation a fully operational oil refinery

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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 operational The Independent Payment Advisory Board, which was supposed to force automatic Medicare cuts if spending exceeded target growth rates, was repealed in 2018 without ever becoming operational. — Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 The plant is expected to be operational by 2027, the company said. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 Backers of electric WIGs view them as a more-practical alternative to eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which face major adoption barriers due to operational constraints and regulatory challenges. — IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026 SpaceX has its first Florida site at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39 near completion with a potential first operational launch before the end of the year. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for operational

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operational

Adjective

The Georgia park was closed on Tuesday for a pre-scheduled non-operating day, officials said.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of operating

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

Adjective

Parenting a child comes with unique stressors, from small daily hassles like getting kids out the door on time for school to the bigger assignment of raising a functioning, happy and healthy human.

— Daniel M. Bagner, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Two years later, that land was a functioning commercial development with healthcare services, co-working space, community banking and retail tenants serving a neighborhood that had none of those things before.

— Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of functioning

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operation

operational

operations

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

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Synonyms of operational

adjective

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