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 Wandy Peralta was activated off the Bereavement List and pitched a scoreless ninth inning. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026 Most can be set to activate on a timer, and some are even capable of self-emptying their collection bins and automatically recharging themselves. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 The malware can activate a camera, including during a fake identity check. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 Chase the dream as Jupiter activates Neptune and Pluto today. — Usa Today, USA Today, 20 July 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
  • Prices reached record highs over the past two years, triggered by adverse weather conditions and poor cocoa harvests that pushed chocolate costs higher and dampened consumer sentiment.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 July 2026
  • But the conflict in the Middle East has intensified in recent weeks, triggering a spike in global energy prices.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • The massive influx of people, which totaled 70% of Ceuta’s resident population, sparked calls by local Spanish authorities for police and the army to establish order.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, this unassuming little coupe was the one car that sparked the global roadster boom of the early 1990s, when the MX-5’s huge popularity convinced European carmakers to create the Boxster, SLK, TT, Z3, MGF and Barchetta.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.
    — Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • Google is investing in its Gemini AI model and has more data from Google Maps and other services to power its answers.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026
  • The accelerator relies on line-replaceable units (LRUs) to generate short, high-energy pulses that power the electron beam used to create X-rays.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • The income tax currently generates about $9 billion a year, roughly two-thirds of the state’s general revenue.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • In terms of dollars spent and lives saved, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, has generated a stellar return on investment and a solid demonstration of soft power in Africa.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 July 2026
Definition of generate
Verb
  • The Tigers won for just the second time in six games to start a three-city West Coast swing and moved within 3 1/2 games of the final wild-card spot in the American League.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • If the proposal moves forward, corporate demographic data related to employee race and gender would be less available to the public.
    — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on activate

Nglish: Translation of activate for Spanish Speakers

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