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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activate
As a result of the absences, the Sky activated development player Aicha Coulibaly for the game.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
The core of the Rocket is its quick release system—a one-step height-adjustment mechanism activated by a single press of the hand lever.
—Robb Rice, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
But Brock Stewart, who was activated off the IL on Wednesday, landed right back on it Saturday with a bone spur in his left foot.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
The core of the Rocket is its quick release system—a one-step height-adjustment mechanism activated by a single press of the hand lever.
—Robb Rice, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
But Brock Stewart, who was activated off the IL on Wednesday, landed right back on it Saturday with a bone spur in his left foot.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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West, a former junior Foreign Office minister, would need support from 20% of Labour MPs — or 81 members — to trigger a contest.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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In 1992, a buildup of methane gas and coal dust triggered a massive explosion in the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia, Canada, killing 26 coal miners.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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His goal sparked wild celebrations inside St Mary’s, none more so than in the press box, where Southampton’s analysts, doing the opposite of keeping a low profile amid the allegations levelled at the club, were enthusiastically bouncing around.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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No Mow May sparks conversations about bee conservation.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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The novel starts out on a highway, in a car that’s driving too fast.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Our rate structure applies to all large-load customers that rely on significant and continuous electricity use to power their operations around the clock, including data centers.—
Scott Bores,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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The comedian-heavy ensemble, who are doing press at the festival, will help power this family-friendly film to buyer interest.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The blazes generate a complex cocktail of compounds, including ground-level ozone, one of the main ingredients in smog.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
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Its pitch to college partners centers on three different potential avenues for generating revenue—the sale of DBGI stock issued under deals, millions in influencer marketing campaigns spent on individual college athletes and a cut of apparel sales via each school’s standard licensing agreements.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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There is still work to do; however, current congressional leadership has moved us in the right direction.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Before the vote, loud boos resounded as House Republicans arrived and moved through a crowd of protesters from the elevator to the House chamber.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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