as in to kill
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deactivate
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
The hate got so bad that Corrin deactivated their Instagram account for a year and has just come back on the platform.
—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
31 May 2026
To deactivate the alarm, simply put the top pin back in.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Prosecutors say that Cunningham additionally contacted his wireless carrier to ask that his phone be deactivated, changed his number, and gave his car to his niece, creating a months-long delay for police to find and search the vehicle.
—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
The hate got so bad that Corrin deactivated their Instagram account for a year and has just come back on the platform.
—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
31 May 2026
To deactivate the alarm, simply put the top pin back in.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Prosecutors say that Cunningham additionally contacted his wireless carrier to ask that his phone be deactivated, changed his number, and gave his car to his niece, creating a months-long delay for police to find and search the vehicle.
—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate
Verb
-
Los Angeles police Friday released bodycam footage of an officer killing a woman’s pet dog in a case that has sparked outrage and questions.
-
The Israeli strikes killed five people around the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the official news agency NNA, and the army said a soldier was along the victims.
Verb
-
Drivers need to brake firmly and stay in the lane instead of swerving.
-
The braking system follows the same philosophy, with a dual-piston floating caliper and disc up front, and a 220-mm rear disc paired with a single-piston caliper.
Verb
-
Utility companies have also shut off utilities to the house because of the crash, Pace said.
-
In cool mode, the fan often stays on while the compressor shuts off, which continuously drains power just to push room-temperature air.
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
