reactivate

verb

re·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)rē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce reactivate (audio)
reactivated; reactivating; reactivates
1
transitive : to activate (something or someone) again
… turning the dough (gently folding it over onto itself between the first and second rises) reactivates the yeast without pressing out as much air.Erika Bruce
: such as
a(1)
: to restore (an organized group such as a military unit) to an active state (as from a state of disorganization or deactivation)
(2)
: to restore (an individual) to active duty
He was reactivated after 9/11 and sent to Afghanistan for a year.Pam Kragen
(3)
: to cause (something such as an industrial plant, society, program, or commission) to function again after a suspension of activity
Started in 1987 and reactivated two years ago, the Leadership Shelby County program takes the participants through the process of developing and launching efforts to improve the community.John Walker
b
psychology : to cause (something such as a repressed complex) to reappear in consciousness or behavior
Feelings of inferiority were reactivated by the experience.
c
medical : to cause (a quiescent disease) to become active again
tuberculosis that was reactivated by fatigue
2
intransitive : to become active again
… a painful nerve and skin disorder that occurs when the immune system weakens in older people and the virus, which never entirely leaves the body, reactivates.Alison L. Sprout

Examples of reactivate in a Sentence

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.
Later, the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s reactivated other dormant progressive ideas. Time, 16 July 2025 Later, in the wake of Superman’s death, the Mother Boxes reactivate, and Steppenwolf returns to Earth to try again. Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025 Meanwhile, Israel has boosted air patrols over Lebanon, formed new domestic security units to protect civilians, and reactivated reserves to support front-line troops, as confirmed by Defence Minister Israel Katz. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 As the 1980s dawned, Freeman reactivated his boutique agency, working for the next seven years on a diverse range of films for a select group of filmmakers, distributors and studios. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reactivate

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reactivate was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Reactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactivate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

reactivate

transitive verb
re·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)rē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce reactivate (audio)
reactivated; reactivating
: to activate again : cause to be again active or more active: as
a
: to cause (as a repressed complex) to reappear in consciousness or behavior
persecution feelings reactivated by new social failures
b
: to cause (a quiescent disease) to become active again in an individual
a herpes infection reactivated by physical and emotional stresses
c
: to restore complement to (an inactivated serum) by addition of fresh normal serum

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