OPERATIONAL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

operational

adjective

ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of operational

as in operating

being in effective operation a fully operational oil refinery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 operational The flyby is subject to weather and operational considerations. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 For the last two years, the city has housed five operational Flock cameras as part of a pilot program. — Brooklyn Andres, Fox 19 Cincinnati, 28 Aug. 2026 Working in the building cleanup industry, SkyPSI goes beyond supplying commercial exterior cleaning drones, offering operators full operational guidance and support. — Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 As of time of publication, ticketing systems at the Sacramento DMV office were operational. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for operational

Recent Examples of Synonyms for operational

Adjective

That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Definition of operating

Adjective

Also, at least one Dolls doctor, the administrative complaint said, skipped steps in pre-operative risk evaluation of anesthesia and the surgery to be performed or at least failed to document taking each of those steps.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Kiara suddenly has the ability to jump out of cable cars and scale buildings with a CIA-operative level of precision.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of operative

Adjective

Parenting a child comes with unique stressors, from small daily hassles like getting kids out the door on time for school to the bigger assignment of raising a functioning, happy and healthy human.

— Daniel M. Bagner, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Two years later, that land was a functioning commercial development with healthcare services, co-working space, community banking and retail tenants serving a neighborhood that had none of those things before.

— Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of functioning

Browse Nearby Words

operation

operational

operations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Operational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/operational. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of operational

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes