deactivate
verb
de·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
Examples of deactivate in a Sentence
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
Due to the online backlash, Ramsey deactivated their social media accounts.
—
Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Federal workers are showing up to work only to find their key cards deactivated.
—Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
On 57 occasions, the lane keeping or adaptive cruise control deactivated, and there were 43 instances of a test car failing to adequately slow down, of which 70 percent required the driver to hit the brakes.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
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Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Federal workers are showing up to work only to find their key cards deactivated.
—Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
On 57 occasions, the lane keeping or adaptive cruise control deactivated, and there were 43 instances of a test car failing to adequately slow down, of which 70 percent required the driver to hit the brakes.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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Medical Definition
deactivate
transitive verb
de·ac·ti·vate
(ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
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