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
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Recent Examples of activate
To catch up fast, optimize your profile and banner, request recommendations from former colleagues, activate your network and connect and engage with others.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This loss is deep, but he’s still activated to find out what happened.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026
Salomon recently activated during the Milano Cortina Olympic Games.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
The Towode Door Stop Alarm is a budget-friendly, highly effective safety tool that functions as a wedge door stop and a piercingly loud alarm when activated.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This loss is deep, but he’s still activated to find out what happened.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026
Salomon recently activated during the Milano Cortina Olympic Games.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
The Towode Door Stop Alarm is a budget-friendly, highly effective safety tool that functions as a wedge door stop and a piercingly loud alarm when activated.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
-
Depending on direct or indirect exposure by private creditors and special purpose vehicles to public banks, this may wipe out investors and trigger a broader recession.—
Rakesh Kumar,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
This typically gets worse over time and is often accompanied by a harsh goose-honking cough triggered by excitement or exercise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The violent arrest immediately sparked community protests, and Hyder was fired the next day.—
Jericka Duncan,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
The case sparked outrage both in the local community and nationwide, with conversations surrounding race and self-defense rights taking center stage.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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McCarthy doubled in the ninth to move Kyle Karros to third before Rumfield drove him home with a sac fly to right field for a 9-8 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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The blend of plush but no-nonsense North American furnishings with opulent Ottomania creates a visually exotic yet comfort-driven aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, so many of the minerals needed to power our economy, strengthen our national security and rebuild our industrial capacity are right beneath our feet.—
Rich Nolan,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
-
Those publications now sit in a privileged tier inside the retrieval systems that power the AI products your buyers use every day.—
Parry Headrick,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The snowy first look released by Apple back in March honestly bares some cursory resemblance to the snowy, period, Eastern European setting that the AI prompt manages to generate — which again is just for a storyboard!—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
2 June 2026
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Participants may be introduced to strategies for generating motivated seller leads, exploring ways to negotiate profitable deals, structuring financing options, and developing approaches that could support operational growth.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Make sure the belt doesn't move, push your knees out into the belt, and hold.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
-
Nippon Dynawave was cited for moving equipment involved before it could be inspected, but not for the incident itself, the news outlet reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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