operate vs sterilize

operate and sterilize both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
operate	No	No	Yes	No
sterilize	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, sterilize is a hyponym of operate; that is, sterilize is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than operate:

Other hyponyms of operate include desex, desexualise, desexualize, fix, sterilise, unsex, face-lift, lift, trephine, venesect.

operate (verb)	sterilize (verb)
perform surgery on	make infertile
perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense	make free from bacteria
handle and cause to function
keep engaged
perform as expected when applied
direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.