Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb operate

7 senses of operate

Sense 1
operate, run -- (direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is running a relief operation in the Sudan")
       => direct -- (be in charge of)

Sense 2
function, work, operate, go, run -- (perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore")

Sense 3
operate, control -- (handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever")
       => manipulate -- (hold something in one's hands and move it)

Sense 4
manoeuver, maneuver, manoeuvre, operate -- (perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense)
       => move, go -- (have a turn; make one's move in a game; "Can I go now?")

Sense 5
operate -- (happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?")
       => happen, hap, go on, pass off, occur, pass, fall out, come about, take place -- (come to pass; "What is happening?"; "The meeting took place off without an incidence"; "Nothing occurred that seemed important")

Sense 6
engage, mesh, lock, operate -- (keep engaged; "engaged the gears")
       => move, displace -- (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense; "Move those boxes into the corner, please"; "I'm moving my money to another bank"; "The director moved more responsibilities onto his new assistant")

Sense 7
operate on, operate -- (perform surgery on; "The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life")
       => treat, care for -- (provide treatment for; "The doctor treated my broken leg"; "The nurses cared for the bomb victims"; "The patient must be treated right away or she will die"; "Treat the infection with antibiotics")