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
Regular honey is processed by filtration and heating, which removes or inactivates many of the beneficial compounds in honey, but clarifies it and prolongs its shelf life.
—
Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Another possibility Diel suggested is heating milk at sub-pasteurization temperatures before using it, which could retain the qualities desired by the raw milk cheese industry and effectively inactivate the virus.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2025
These include testing milk before cheesemaking or heating it to sub-pasteurization temperatures, which can inactivate the virus while maintaining the qualities valued by artisanal producers.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Cooking helps inactivate these compounds, Messer explains, but those with thyroid concerns may want to moderate their intake or consult a healthcare professional.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactivate
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Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Another possibility Diel suggested is heating milk at sub-pasteurization temperatures before using it, which could retain the qualities desired by the raw milk cheese industry and effectively inactivate the virus.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2025
These include testing milk before cheesemaking or heating it to sub-pasteurization temperatures, which can inactivate the virus while maintaining the qualities valued by artisanal producers.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Cooking helps inactivate these compounds, Messer explains, but those with thyroid concerns may want to moderate their intake or consult a healthcare professional.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 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 9 Nov. 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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