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

A day later, their reporters who tried to enter the security checkpoint found their hard passes deactivated. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Technical standards and checkpoints help ensure AI systems are monitored continuously and can be audited or deactivated when risks emerge. — Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

This includes deactivating infrastructure, reconfiguring new tracks, integrating new signals and communication systems, and testing systems. — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 8 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