as in to trigger
to cause to function
the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activate
These drugs work by activating estrogen receptors in bone tissue to prevent bone breakdown.
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
The ability of car companies to charge users to activate some features is effectively the only reason the car’s systems need to communicate with cell towers.
—Dell Cameron, Wired News, 28 Apr. 2025
The upshot is that far greater levels of anti-cancer metabolites are generated and activated inside tumor cells.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
The ability of car companies to charge users to activate some features is effectively the only reason the car’s systems need to communicate with cell towers.
—Dell Cameron, Wired News, 28 Apr. 2025
The upshot is that far greater levels of anti-cancer metabolites are generated and activated inside tumor cells.
—Nick Lavars, New Atlas, 26 Apr. 2025
Troopers located the Tesla and allegedly observed the vehicle traveling in the center lane at approximately 30 mph with its four-way hazard lights activated.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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However, the app’s rising popularity quickly triggered national security and data concerns outside China due to Beijing’s requirement for domestic firms to share data with the PRC.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
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Market Volatility: The 2022 inflation spike triggered a 52% stock drop (from $170 to $82), exceeding the S&P 500's 25.4% decline.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the last few weeks President Donald Trump’s trade wars have triggered market instability, stoked fears of stagflation, alienated America's traditional trading partners, and sparked boycotts of American goods.—
Made by History,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
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Those receivers helped spark LSU’s national title in 2019 and played a big role in two transfer QBs (Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels) coming to Baton Rouge and winning Heisman Trophies.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The video showed several vehicles that drove around the minivan in the lanes on either side.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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This multiyear partnership provides the time and platform to drive meaningful impact redefining the role of skin care in performance, recovery and well-being.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
Verb
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From 1991 to 2019, real median household income rose > 30%, largely powered by sustained consumption.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Your muscles, meanwhile, have grown both new capillaries to shuttle that blood as well as tiny energy factories called mitochondria, which power your stride.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It can't be seen with the naked eye, but a curious weather pattern in the upper level atmosphere above the continental United States is forecast to generate unsettled weather and some big temperature contrasts into the weekend.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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The multi-year project is expected to generate thousands of highly skilled jobs while cementing Mumbai’s position as a cornerstone of global film production.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Some of those are moving along very well, especially the – with the Asian countries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Golden eagles will forage during migration flights and use this uplift from heated air, which also comes from open landscapes, to move efficiently during migration and seasonal movements.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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