1
2
as in to manage
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
3
4
as in to utilize
to put into action or service
wouldn't dream of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of operate
The property at 6161 W. Grand Ave. was previously operated as a Holiday Inn.
—
Erin Yarnall, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus.
—Wendy Whitman Cobb, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Wayne Ford, USA Today, 23 May 2025
In recent years, charter schools have proven popular with parents both in major cities and in rural areas, and their numbers would surely have grown if churches or religious groups were free to operate these schools.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Erin Yarnall, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus.
—Wendy Whitman Cobb, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Wayne Ford, USA Today, 23 May 2025
In recent years, charter schools have proven popular with parents both in major cities and in rural areas, and their numbers would surely have grown if churches or religious groups were free to operate these schools.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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Administration officials initially weighed using Section 122 to impose higher tariffs but decided not to, due to the 150-day limit.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Verb
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In addition to managing the university’s rapid growth, Pullin will need to attract donors to help foot the bill.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2025
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The city must manage costs — as difficult as that is to do politically — rather than searching for new ways to increase taxes.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
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But this year, the original cast members of Hamilton are not throwing away their shot to perform at Broadway’s biggest night.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 June 2025
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Tate McRae, Ed Sheeran and Mariah Carey are among the artists slated to perform at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartMedia announced Tuesday morning.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Treatments include massages utilizing a mixture of orange, clove, ginger and seaweed, or emulating the movements of the sea to relieve muscular tension; a seaweed leaf wrap to soften and nourish the skin and skin renewal facials.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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The abominable snowman terrorized the North Pole with his size and sheer power, but by the end of the show, Santa Claus and the elves found a way to turn perceived negatives into actual positives by utilizing the snowman’s height to place a star at the top of the Christmas tree.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The Yanks lobbed them the title, and the Dodgers were barely able to handle the throw.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants can handle many customer queries, freeing up human agents for more complex interactions.—
Ivan Ostojić,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Gray supervised a special housing unit at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, prosecutors said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2025
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There’s similar apprehension about the new Judicial Disciplinary Tribunal that’s meant to supervise judges in office.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Verb
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In rubble there is always opportunity, especially for a first-time manager who has worked his whole life for this chance.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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If the individual is a non-resident, non-citizen of the U.S., the federal estate tax applies only to assets situated or deemed to be situated within the U.S. (for example, U.S. real property or stock in a U.S. corporation).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The reports indicate 20 people have applied with the city for up to $7,000 in emergency rental assistance for new apartments, and 16 have met the eligibility requirements.—
Michael L. Hyman,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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