ACTIVATE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

activate

verb

ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

Definition of activate

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

Relevance

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

Verb

This week, Indonesian equities experienced another round of panic selling, triggered by reports that major index provider MSCI is considering downgrading the country's stock market status.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
For some people, those changes are significant enough to trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression with a recurring seasonal pattern.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 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

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

The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is moving forward with a $4 million investment to run an ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother after the video received fierce backlash.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of move

Browse Nearby Words

actions

activate

activated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of activate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes