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

Harford County schools have a policy that says elementary school students are required to deactivate and store all personal devices in their backpacks. — Kellye Lynn, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

In May 2024, it was reported that ASML now places a kill switch in its EUV machines that can be used to deactivate the machines remotely, to prevent an adversary from using them in the event of a hostile takeover. — Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

According to DeFlock, at least 100 cities have deactivated the cameras or canceled contracts with Flock or similar companies. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

Toyota is recalling about 655,000 of its Camry vehicles globally, the automaker confirmed Tuesday, due to a display error that may deactivate safety indicators like turn signals and hazard lights during startup. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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