control and operate share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. control means “power to direct or determine”. operate means “direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.”. control is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/kənˈtɹoʊl/
1.n.power to direct or determine
“under control”
2.n.a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another
“measures for the control of disease”
3.n.(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc
“the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired”
/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/
1.v.direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
“She is running a relief operation in the Sudan”
2.v.perform as expected when applied
“The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in”
3.v.handle and cause to function
“do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol”
| control | operate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /kənˈtɹoʊl/ | /ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/ |
| Said | kuhn-TROHL | AH-pur-ayt |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Letters | 7 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | verb |
| Senses | 20 | 6 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | run |
Full entry for control · Full entry for operate · More comparisons