deactivate
verb
de·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
Examples of deactivate in a Sentence
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
When the engine is turned off, the system deactivates with an eerie sound.
—
James Raia, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
On top of the spending cuts, DOGE has also deactivated half a million federal credit cards, used by government staff to make purchases on behalf of agencies.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Related article Vatican to deactivate mobile phone signal ahead of secret meeting to elect new pope
But, principally, he was inspired by a local, cycling priest, who brought joy and the life of the spirit into the growing boy’s world.
—Noga Tarnopolsky, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
According to the family, the business’ security alarm was deactivated and a Ring camera feed from the store cut out just before 10 p.m.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
James Raia, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
On top of the spending cuts, DOGE has also deactivated half a million federal credit cards, used by government staff to make purchases on behalf of agencies.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Related article Vatican to deactivate mobile phone signal ahead of secret meeting to elect new pope
But, principally, he was inspired by a local, cycling priest, who brought joy and the life of the spirit into the growing boy’s world.
—Noga Tarnopolsky, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
According to the family, the business’ security alarm was deactivated and a Ring camera feed from the store cut out just before 10 p.m.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share