Operative and 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. In some cases you can use "Operating" instead an adjective "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. You can use "Operative" instead an adjective "Operating".

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