as in triggers
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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Recent Examples of activates
Venus and Pluto’s connection activates the friends-to-lovers pipeline.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Unlike most opioids, buprenorphine only partially activates opioid receptors, providing enough stimulation to prevent withdrawal and cravings while not causing euphoria.
—Rachel French, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Light naturally suppresses melatonin, a sleep hormone, and activates your internal clock.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Within ComPair’s ‘HealTech’ material, a healing agent activates at higher temperatures.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
The designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, activates authorities created under an executive order signed in September that expanded the government's ability to penalize countries accused of detaining Americans for political bargaining power.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Your 2nd House of Money activates as passionate Mars squares sudden Uranus in your 5th House of Bliss.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Unlike most opioids, buprenorphine only partially activates opioid receptors, providing enough stimulation to prevent withdrawal and cravings while not causing euphoria.
—Rachel French, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Light naturally suppresses melatonin, a sleep hormone, and activates your internal clock.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Within ComPair’s ‘HealTech’ material, a healing agent activates at higher temperatures.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
The designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, activates authorities created under an executive order signed in September that expanded the government's ability to penalize countries accused of detaining Americans for political bargaining power.
—Camilla Schick, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Your 2nd House of Money activates as passionate Mars squares sudden Uranus in your 5th House of Bliss.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
Verb
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But when the grind triggers that frame of reference, Hall explained, the models have a rich vein of source material to draw from.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
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But what's rising especially fast is the more damaging type when the heat comes first and that triggers the drought.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Each of the pitchers who worked in the previous day’s game has the chance to talk about his performance, and that sparks a discussion among the whole group.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The odyssey sparks no miracle but, yes, a collective rebirth.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The solid dramatic framework that Gyllenhaal establishes drives events onward with relentless force, and her film is devilishly clever in its fusion of gothic horror and film-noir tropes.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the time, the engine drives a generator while the battery absorbs and delivers power.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ground-penetrating radar can detect nonmetallic objects but performs poorly in wet or uneven terrain, or ground covered by vegetation, and often generates high false-alarm rates.—
Sagar Lekhak,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
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Thanks to Mary Shelley’s telekinetic puppeteering of Ida/Penelope, the feminist rage that sets the story in motion generates exciting and spectacular events.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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