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 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
  1. trigger
  2. spark
  3. drive
  4. power
  5. generate
  6. move
Verb
  • The Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973 in June but owner James Dolan said shortly afterward the team would avoid spending enough to trigger the penalties that come when a team reaches the second apron of the salary cap.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • These primitive instincts are highly attuned to potential danger and are often triggered before our conscious mind registers that something isn’t right.
    — Georgia Casey, Allure, 9 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
  • The buildout of artificial intelligence is driving investment in advanced semiconductors, servers and the sprawling data centers needed to power the technology.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Nuclear fusion attempts to copy the physical reactions that power the sun.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 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
  • Rural areas account for nearly 40% of sales of fast-moving consumer goods, according to data from consultancy Nielsen Consumer.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Tinubu’s then-employers at Mobil Oil told investigators his treasurer role did not involve moving large sums and that the company never authorized him to hold its funds personally.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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