inactivate

verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt 

inactivated; inactivating; inactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive

chemicals to inactivate viruses

inactivation

(ˌ)i-ˌnak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Examples of inactivate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The news release announcing the charges said FBI testing had confirmed the viruses were inactivated — Munster helped develop the inactivation technique — but that the scientists jeopardized Americans’ safety. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026

After that point, the carrier will be inactivated and its systems shut down, allowing the removal of all hazardous materials. — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026

If a voter hasn’t participated in four years or mail sent to their address is returned as undeliverable, their record is inactivated. — Joe Mansky, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026

The decision to inactivate the USS Boise is just the start of Phelan’s shakeup plans. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inactivate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

inactivate

verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

: to make inactive

inactivation

(ˌ)in-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

inactivate

transitive verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

inactivated; inactivating

: to make inactive: as

a

: to destroy certain biological activities of

inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat

b

: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity

inactivate bacteria

inactivation

(ˌ)in-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

inactivator

-ˌvāt-ər 

noun