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 International clinical trial networks can now be activated rapidly during an emergency. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026 The company activated its incident response procedures and moved to contain the intrusion. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 He had been activated from PUP only a day earlier after a lengthy recovery from a fractured fibula. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 These chemicals include Kynurenine and xanthine, which activate a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and α-Linolenic acid and stearidonic acid, two types of healthy fatty acids which activate another protein called PPAR-γ. — Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 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
  • The findings provide fresh insight into how closely human behavior influences the Earth’s subtle seismic signals, while also helping to dispel the long-standing myth that eclipses can trigger earthquakes.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The annual monsoon season frequently triggers flooding in Assam, where swollen rivers inundate large areas and displace thousands of residents each year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • Aside from third baseman Bo Bichette’s decision about whether to opt out after this season, the Mets’ position-player group doesn’t spark many questions.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The aircraft are part of Colorado's aerial fire-detection program, which sends planes over the state looking for the heat signatures of new fires, particularly those sparked by lightning.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • The project, which is expected to take two years, has brought construction noise, dust and the loss of nearby parking spaces, all of which merchants say have driven customers away.
    — Maddie White, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This heat drives the park’s geysers and hot springs while producing frequent earthquakes and gradual changes in the ground.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • To power the thrusters, these satellites usually have some form of fuel built in.
    — Julian Dossett, Space.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The goal is to solve the nation’s nuclear waste disposal problems just in time to power the construction gold rush of AI data centers with a renaissance of next-generation nuclear energy.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • The strongest hurricanes can generate storm surge greater than 18 feet.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Matchstick-dry pine plantations in Gironde, France generated what is believed to be that country’s first-ever pyroCb just last week.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of generate
Verb
  • Frequent population movements linked to mining and people fleeing armed conflict add another complication, as people can move before surveillance teams are able to follow up with them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers also want to move beyond bulk pyrite crystals and produce thin films, which are more directly relevant to electronic and energy devices.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on activate

Nglish: Translation of activate for Spanish Speakers

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