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 In the right earcup, double-tap to play or pause audio; swipe forward or back to skip to the next or previous track; swipe up or down to adjust volume; cover the panel to activate Quick Attention; and tap and hold to activate your voice assistant. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Here, only one actuator is activated, creating an asymmetric movement that propels the robot forward or backward. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026 Newport Beach has declared a local emergency ahead of the tides and activated its emergency operations center, gearing up for flood prevention and response efforts. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 Aguilar declined to take the rest of the day off but then activated the fire alarm system after the meeting and tried to leave the building. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 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 clip physically holds these components in place, preventing the movement that could trigger an unintended detonation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever the source, the deluge of news can cause acute stress and anger, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • His go-ahead hit sparked the Brewers to a 5-4 win in Game 2 after Seymour allowed Frelick’s tying home run.
    — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Pratt, a 22-year-old rookie whose go-ahead hit sparked the Brewers to a 5-4 win in Game 2, drove a slider into the left-field seats against Seymour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of spark
Verb
  • Pratt, a 22-year-old rookie whose go-ahead hit sparked the Brewers to a 5-4 win in Game 2, drove a slider into the left-field seats against Seymour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In recent years, General Motors has consistently sought to demonstrate that its investments in autonomous driving systems and software services can yield high margin revenue and open new growth frontiers.
    — , CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of drive
Verb
  • Beehive Industries has successfully tested a compact jet engine designed to power smaller US military drones and munitions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Nine of them will power the first stage, and the second stage will fly a single Clydesdale.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • The cyclists cross the state, generating an economic impact estimated at $25 million.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In tests by cybersecurity firm McAfee, a three-second clip was enough to generate a clone with an 85% match to the original speaker.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of generate
Verb
  • Those offseason moves, combined with the injuries, have withered the depth that had allowed Presti to be patient in trade negotiations during previous seasons, without feeling a need to make splashy midseason acquisitions.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But Florida has decisively moved beyond an educational system dominated by a single operator — the school district — and toward a new construct where multiple operators provide choices for families.
    — Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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