inactivate
verb
in·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt 
inactivated; inactivating; inactivates
: to make inactive
chemicals to inactivate viruses
Examples of inactivate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When this switch is turned off (inactivated), the liver cells can grow too much and become abnormal, forming a tumor.
—
Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024
The activity of p53 in a cell is regulated by another gene known as MDM2 that encodes a protein that essentially inactivates the p53 protein.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
Prions are notoriously difficult to inactivate or destroy — withstanding standard sterilization techniques — and can remain intact for months and years on a surface, Geschwind said.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Sykes said the agency could potentially require that commercially available pet foods be treated to inactivate pathogens or require demonstration of regular testing.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactivate
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Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024
The activity of p53 in a cell is regulated by another gene known as MDM2 that encodes a protein that essentially inactivates the p53 protein.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
Prions are notoriously difficult to inactivate or destroy — withstanding standard sterilization techniques — and can remain intact for months and years on a surface, Geschwind said.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Sykes said the agency could potentially require that commercially available pet foods be treated to inactivate pathogens or require demonstration of regular testing.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactivate
Cite this Entry
“Inactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactivate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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Medical Definition
inactivate
transitive verb
in·ac·ti·vate
(ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
inactivated; inactivating
: to make inactive: as
a
: to destroy certain biological activities of
inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat
b
: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity
inactivate bacteria
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