deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
deactivation noun

Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Last year, the singer deactivated his X account after making a comment about Taylor Swift. Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025 But last summer, LNG carriers traveling to Arctic LNG 2, which is run by Russia's energy giant Novatek, deactivated or spoofed their locations to allow shipments, according to maritime outlet Gcaptain.com. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 Some officers deactivated or muted their body cameras during the incident. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025 The body camera was deactivated during the struggle, according to police, and does not show the moment Shurr shot Lyoya. Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deactivate

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deactivate was in 1926

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

deactivate

verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivation noun

Medical Definition

deactivate

transitive verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
deactivation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deactivate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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