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

Additionally, standard formulas quickly deactivate upon contact with pavement or dust, failing to prevent new seeds trapped in the cracks from sprouting days later. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

City governments have joined in by deactivating the cameras or canceling contracts with Flock in Fort Collins, Colorado; Eugene, Oregon; Madison, Wisconsin; Knoxville, Tennessee; Syracuse, New York; and Walla Walla, Washington. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

After the original company shuttered in 2018, its website was deactivated. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026

The researchers note that developing robust pre-treatment systems will be vital, as everyday impurities can quickly poison and deactivate the sensitive metal catalyst. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 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