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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That change in pressure triggered the mantle rocks to melt—and created the molten reservoir that fueled the Virginia eruptions.—
Alexandra Witze,
JSTOR Daily,
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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Johnnie was a high-ranking member of the Coney Island Brims gang, sparking concern there could be retaliatory violence over his killing, a law enforcement source said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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The study found a 6% annual decline, driven by poaching, habitat loss and weak law enforcement.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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By Carmen Arroyo | Bloomberg Elon Musk’s X Holdings Corp. is evolving from a social media platform powered by mainstream advertisers to one betting on dollars generated from artificial intelligence and subscriptions — a change that appears to have buoyed its revenue lately.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Two goals from Messi powered Miami to a dramatic 3-1 in the second leg.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The way to make this all possible, Democrats say, is by loosening the fiscal guardrails that were created on a bipartisan basis in 2017 and have allowed the state to generate continuous surpluses during Lamont’s tenure.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2025
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Disney and Lucasfilm have trumpeted Star Wars franchise news at the Tokyo event in an effort to generate strong buzz for upcoming TV, film and gaming releases.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Coppola was moved by the tributes that had been bestowed.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2025
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In recent decades, the agency has continued boring tunnels where needed to move water.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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