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
Messages > Send & Receive and tap your valid phone number to activate iMessage.
—
PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Toco has a 90-day wait, however, and requires an additional 1,000 miles on the odometer before your policy is activated.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Your little virtuoso can also activate the pixel piano player mode that builds and displays cool versions of their favorite animals.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Grab Raya as your main goalkeeper if activating your wildcard in the next couple of weeks as the Arsenal defence is consistent enough to fill two of your spots at the back.
—Holly Shand, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Toco has a 90-day wait, however, and requires an additional 1,000 miles on the odometer before your policy is activated.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Your little virtuoso can also activate the pixel piano player mode that builds and displays cool versions of their favorite animals.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Grab Raya as your main goalkeeper if activating your wildcard in the next couple of weeks as the Arsenal defence is consistent enough to fill two of your spots at the back.
—Holly Shand, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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Last month, a Ward 2 resident initiated the process of gathering signatures to trigger a recall election of Richardson.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
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This has triggered debate among people with historic association to United.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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TikToker and books commentator Kenzie Deerin, who was introduced to the series in middle school, says the vampiric tale sparked her love for the fantasy romance genre.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The health care reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill have sparked anxiety in some parts of the state that rely heavily on Medicaid.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sylvia said fire crews had to access the scene by driving in the wrong direction from 59th Street.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Bouchard is one of the NHL’s most polarizing defensemen, but there’s no denying his elite play-driving numbers on the top pair — even in non-Connor McDavid and non-Leon Draisaitl minutes.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And the media dollars and sponsorship money that power the growth of the sport depends on those fans.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And technology will always power the cars.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The chain is generating the same reaction in Finneytown, a suburban Cincinnati neighborhood where a new Dutch Bros on Winton Road is causing locals to pick sides.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Simply put, humans cannot survive without generating pollution.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
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That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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