modus operandi
noun
mo·dus ope·ran·di
ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē 
-ˌdī
plural modi operandi
ˈmō-ˌdē-
ˈmō-ˌdī-
: a method of procedure
the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandi—
James Traub
James Traub
especially
: a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood —Time
Time Examples of modus operandi in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hand-picking, which was the modus operandi in Indiana until the 1980s and still is in parts of Florida and California, is extremely hard work.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Speed may be the main modus operandi of the boat, but entertainment is also a key focus.
—Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Scattered Spider’s modus operandi has been to swoop into a sector and select multiple targets before moving on.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Until around two weeks ago, Israel’s modus operandi was to assert military dominance as a political strategy, according to Michael Oren, who served as the country’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2009 to 2013.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 30 June 2025
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Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
Speed may be the main modus operandi of the boat, but entertainment is also a key focus.
—Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Scattered Spider’s modus operandi has been to swoop into a sector and select multiple targets before moving on.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Until around two weeks ago, Israel’s modus operandi was to assert military dominance as a political strategy, according to Michael Oren, who served as the country’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2009 to 2013.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for modus operandi
Cite this Entry
“Modus operandi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20operandi. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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modus operandi
noun
mo·dus ope·ran·di
ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī
: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
Etymology
New Latin, manner of operating
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