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
Research shows eye contact is key to satisfying social interactions and activates social parts of the brain.
—
Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Many remotes include a push-to-talk button that activates voice control only when pressed.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The Full Moon in Taurus on November 5 activates your community and dream-vision sector, revealing which collaborations are truly aligned with your soul’s long-term growth, and which have quietly expired.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 2025
Find a workflow as the moon activates Mercury and Uranus.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.
—New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
In Ibadan, the biennial activates the New Culture Studio designed by Demas Nwoko (1970), exploring urban and architectural dimensions of confinement.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The Chinese researchers propose a process called microbial iron mining, which activates the natural cycling of iron in soils.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
The heat from the dryer activates a special coating on the sheets that distributes throughout the load, creating a soft, smooth surface.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Many remotes include a push-to-talk button that activates voice control only when pressed.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The Full Moon in Taurus on November 5 activates your community and dream-vision sector, revealing which collaborations are truly aligned with your soul’s long-term growth, and which have quietly expired.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 2025
Find a workflow as the moon activates Mercury and Uranus.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.
—New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
In Ibadan, the biennial activates the New Culture Studio designed by Demas Nwoko (1970), exploring urban and architectural dimensions of confinement.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The Chinese researchers propose a process called microbial iron mining, which activates the natural cycling of iron in soils.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
The heat from the dryer activates a special coating on the sheets that distributes throughout the load, creating a soft, smooth surface.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
Verb
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Key Takeaways Short-term, alcohol slows brain processing, triggers the reward system, reduces stress and pain, impairs spatial thinking, and can cause memory lapses or blackouts.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Late changes after proto review or post–assortment lock (because of a market signal or someone just changed their mind) triggers rework.—
Raj Dhiman,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While details of Gatwa’s character are not yet known, Erivo’s Jayne is described as a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Quinten Post scored 14 points and Pat Spencer put in 10 with four assists as fellow sparks off the bench.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Can Green Bay finish drives with touchdowns without Kraft, who has hauled in six of Love's 13 TD passes this year?—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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If search reliability drives a beat, update evergreen explainers and refine the internal links that help readers stay oriented.—
Malana VanTyler,
Ascend Agency,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Legal sports betting generates a considerable amount of tax revenue.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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Switching to some business talk for a moment, Lazenby confirmed what other executives were buzzing about — that the center generates approximately $4,000 in sales per square foot, to an extent buoyed by strong high and fine jewelry sales.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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