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

Authorities also found two improvised explosives at the scene, which the police commissioner said were later deactivated by police. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

The investigation also revealed evidence that contractors might have deactivated some fire alarms during the renovation work and given false information to officials. —Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2025

TikTok is deactivating all accounts held by under-16 users. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Dec. 2025

The eSafety commissioner also expects social media platforms to offer clear review pathways and support resources for young users whose accounts are deactivated. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deactivate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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