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

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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 Right-hander Ryan Weathers was activated for the series after being sidelined with a flexor strain since August. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026 All officers on the scenes of vehicle stops must wear and activate their body cameras, under the guidance. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 Hawaii officials had told residents to put together emergency kits, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The device also remembered when it had been activated before. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for activate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate

Verb

In the device studied by the scientists, applying a voltage triggered a localized transition from an insulator to a conductor.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Gross domestic product grew over three months ending in June, defying fear of a downturn triggered by the Iran war.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

The killing of a woman in Okinawa has sparked an outcry across Japan and inflamed long-simmering tensions over the US military presence on the island.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez would move forward the general election and use the momentum on the housing issue against his right-wing opponents.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
The urgency of their push comes as major European companies undergo huge job losses — Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 workers — which experts have said could drive political upheaval.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Nuclear fusion attempts to copy the physical reactions that power the sun.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Because the data center boom is so new, there has not yet been a comprehensive study analyzing how much more electricity and hence pollution is being generated to power them.

— Anna Zarra Aldrich, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

For a movie that had once been generating top Oscar buzz, including a potential first win for Cruise, it has since been hit with critiques that have described it as baffling, brilliant or just plain bad.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
Ellison and Kreiz will also be under pressure to deliver a clear roadmap for generating bigger profits from its streaming pillars, HBO Max and Paramount+.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of generate

Verb

There are about a million moving parts, and everybody involved is an outsized character.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of move

Browse Nearby Words

actions

activate

activated

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“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of activate

verb

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