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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activates
The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Aside from strengthening the body and improving posture, practicing downward dog also activates blood circulation and may improve digestion.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2025
The acidic apple cider or white vinegar activates the baking soda, generating carbon dioxide bubbles that help the cookies rise and end up lofty and a bit cake-like, rather than flat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the drone activates its reverse thrust mode, pressing its feet firmly against the vehicle’s surface.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
The Pisces lunar eclipse on September 7 activates your communication sector and may bring revelations through conversations, writing, or making new friends.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Juno’s entrance in Sagittarius activates your intimacy and transformation sector, asking you to expand your view of what deep connection looks like.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025
Why This Recall Is Being Issued The pads were designed to provide a cooling effect for children, with a cooling layer that activates when a child sits down.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Aside from strengthening the body and improving posture, practicing downward dog also activates blood circulation and may improve digestion.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2025
The acidic apple cider or white vinegar activates the baking soda, generating carbon dioxide bubbles that help the cookies rise and end up lofty and a bit cake-like, rather than flat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the drone activates its reverse thrust mode, pressing its feet firmly against the vehicle’s surface.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
The Pisces lunar eclipse on September 7 activates your communication sector and may bring revelations through conversations, writing, or making new friends.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Juno’s entrance in Sagittarius activates your intimacy and transformation sector, asking you to expand your view of what deep connection looks like.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025
Why This Recall Is Being Issued The pads were designed to provide a cooling effect for children, with a cooling layer that activates when a child sits down.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
Verb
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The potential solution presented by UCSD School of Medicine researchers is an anti-αvβ3 antibody that triggers macrophages, a type of immune cell already found in large quantities in advanced tumors.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
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The strict time constraints and what triggers the clock are also more restrictive in Colorado than in other states, noted Perczak.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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Brain breakthrough sparks hope The device, named SPIRAL (Strategic Precision Infusion for Regional Administration of Liquid), is a thin, flexible tube capable of delivering medication to multiple regions of the brain with high precision.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each of the characters are extremely different, yet Ansari successfully drives home the point that empathy is what connects us all.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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The modern world drives you back underground in a weird way.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jenkins plays within himself, generates paint touches that collapse opposing defenses and can score from all three levels.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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An infrastructure project for AI that generates $60 billion in total revenue over six years, for example, would have a gross margin of 35%, the company said during a presentation.—
Brody Ford,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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