activate

verb

ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce activate (audio)
Definition of activatenext
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

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.
Recent Examples of activate Due to the seriousness of the motor vehicle collision, the Mid-State Accident Reconstruction Squad was activated and assumed the investigation, police said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026 The mayfly party started almost at the minute the onset of night activated the lights. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026 The setup has afforded Rushing more regular at-bats than initially expected when the Dodgers activated him this week. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Magnesium supports insulin signaling by helping to activate enzymes inside your cells that regulate how your body uses glucose and responds to insulin. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
  1. trigger
  2. spark
  3. drive
  4. power
  5. generate
  6. move
Verb
  • Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The rain could trigger flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • Sorcinelli’s winning drama Balcanica revolves around the encounter between a conductor and his son who flee Afghanistan after music is banned and an Italian doctor that will spark life-changing choices.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
  • There’s optimism for this season sparked by Harbaugh’s arrival, but this is a tough matchup for a new defense.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • Haaland, along with Martin Odegaard, was the driving force behind Norway’s run to the quarter-finals.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If Assembly Bill 1709 is approved, social media companies would need to provide platforms to children under 16 years old that do not include personalized feeds driven by algorithms, autoplaying videos and other features.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • That was enough to power the film to the best opening weekend in Scream history.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Onslaught Is All Blood, No Guts Adam Wingard’s latest film is a too-slick wannabe grindhouse action-slasher lacking the engine necessary to power it.
    — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • The interplay between players and their coaches often generates some of the most dramatic viewing moments of a tennis match.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Fading fall savings Virtuoso is seeing a 59% increase in fall 2026 bookings over last year, with the amount of money generated off fall bookings up 69%.
    — Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of generate
Verb
  • Flow batteries support longer storage The feasibility study will provide an initial assessment of how the technology could move toward commercial applications.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Ask how much is involved, when money will move, and what each person is expected to contribute.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of move

Browse Nearby Words

actions
activate
activated
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Cite this Entry

“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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