1
as in to use
to control the mechanical operation of do not operate heavy machinery, including cars, after taking this medication

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2
3
as in to perform
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 operate That means a Canadian vessel, even on Lake Michigan—where there's no Canadian border—could be operated by foreign nationals with minimal oversight. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The Chinese military has expanded its reach and presence by building advanced warships and operating far from the country's coastline. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 The basis of this argument has been debated because there were, and remain, American companies operating in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025 Strike aircraft operated by European air forces are certified to carry these bombs. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for operate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for operate
Verb
  • Prosecutors said Mahdi constantly used brutality to solve his problems.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The team used surrogate dogs -- since adopted through the humane society -- to help give birth to the dire wolves, which are white.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As for recharging, Google could do better—the Pixel 9a manages just 23 W wired and 7.5 W wireless, and the flagship Pixels are only a little faster.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • With the 18-34 crowd, the season managed a 0.378 rating, up 14% from last season’s 0.332 rating.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But while most saw the moment as a liberating one for women, Horsell saw it as another instance of a female playing top-level sport without the necessary support to perform at her best.
    Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • To perform a squat pulse, start with your feet hip-width apart.
    Jordan Smith, SELF, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At the time of his murder, the DEA and Camarena had been utilizing a series of wiretaps to make sizeable drug busts inside Mexico.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Those companies—Fanatics, Under Armour, Adidas, New Balance, New Era Cap, Nike, Puma, Lululemon, Amer Sports, Asics and Dick’s Sporting Goods—utilize 2,508 factories around the world.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The environmental health center had also handled a variety of other issues like cruise ship outbreak investigations, which are now reeling from significant layoffs.
    Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The bulbs are durable and waterproof, able to handle extreme heat and cold.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Nutley directed academic services at St. Xavier, and supervised a program aimed at helping teens who were struggling academically, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Shapiro supervises them all, on both scientific and ethical matters.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • By then, Reggie was 31, had graduated college and was working for a pharmaceutical company near San Antonio.
    Paul LaRosa, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Tan was most recently president of Loewe Asia, and has worked for a host of European luxury brands out of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • If an institution like Harvard cannot resist tyranny when applied to it, then who can? KARL (voice-over): The Ivy League University refuses Trump's latest demands, putting billions in federal funding on the line.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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