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
Dutch officials say the tracker was discovered during onboard mail sorting and either deactivated or destroyed at that point.
—
Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
After choosing not to resume filming season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul has also deactivated her social media accounts, including her TikTok and Instagram accounts, which boasted millions of followers.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
University officials deactivated the group the same day they were notified, citing campus policies that allow suspension of student organizations when a parent or governing body withdraws recognition or when groups violate state law.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The low-res black-and-white cameras need less than 5 mW to work, and then automatically deactivate to save battery life.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
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Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
After choosing not to resume filming season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul has also deactivated her social media accounts, including her TikTok and Instagram accounts, which boasted millions of followers.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
University officials deactivated the group the same day they were notified, citing campus policies that allow suspension of student organizations when a parent or governing body withdraws recognition or when groups violate state law.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The low-res black-and-white cameras need less than 5 mW to work, and then automatically deactivate to save battery life.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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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
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