deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

deactivated; deactivating; deactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective

deactivate a bomb

deactivate a chemical compound

deactivation

(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

deactivator

(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of deactivate

• kill
• brake
• shut off

Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock

Recent Examples on the Web

The nonprofit has had to deactivate its website, suspend programming, retain counsel and hire security, said Marziani. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

On December 22nd, the Arc browser won’t be accessible on macOS or Windows, Arc accounts will be deactivated, and Arc Search for Android will be removed from Google Play. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026

The next day, journalists found their passes had been deactivated. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

The settings screen contains buttons to activate or deactivate the lights, motion detection, motion alerts, and the siren. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deactivate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

: to make inactive or ineffective

deactivation

(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

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

deactivation

-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun