The cost of operating schools continued to rise.
Source: tatoeba (21485)
Operating
/ˈɑpəɹeɪtɪŋ/
Synonyms for "operating" (69 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (14)
Adjective(2 words)
afloatdriving action
Strong matches (21)
Noun(6 words)
functionalfunctioninggoinggoing onin actionin exercisein forcein handin operationin playin practicein processin the worksinaction
Adjective(1 words)
in operation
Related words (34)
Noun(19 words)
Adjective(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: acting, active, actuating, administering, administration.
- Sentence evidence is available for operating, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "operating".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "operating"
Keep "operating" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "operating" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "operating", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "operating" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
15 entriesMore specific
21 entriescustomer service operationdata transformationdevice operationembedded operating systemequipment operationfacility operationlogistics operationmachine operationmathematical operationopen surgeryoperating costsoperating proceduresoperating speedoperating systemoperating temperatureplant operation
Showing 16 of 21 words.
Collocations
9 entriesoperating costsoperating environmentoperating hoursoperating incomeoperating marginoperating proceduresoperating profitoperating roomoperating system
Inflections
4 entriesDerivations
8 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
You can't turn the heat off as long as the system is operating.
Source: tatoeba (45606)
At that time she was engaged in operating a tractor.
Source: tatoeba (46963)
Operating this computer is tricky.
Source: tatoeba (61067)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "operating"?
Closest matches include acting, active, actuating, administering, administration.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "operating"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.