Operating and Operative

Operating

Operating adjective - Being in effective operation.
Usage example: the only operating nuclear power plant in the state

Operative is a synonym for operating in action topic. In some cases you can use "Operative" instead an adjective "Operating".

Operative

Operative adjective - Being in effective operation.
Usage example: the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business

Operating is a synonym for operative in action topic. You can use "Operating" instead an adjective "Operative".

Cite this Source
Operative and Operating. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/operating/operative
Operating & Operative. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/operating/operative>.
Operative or Operating. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/operating/operative.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "operating" and "operative" have occurred on timeline