as in triggers
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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Recent Examples of activates
American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.
—
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The Sun in Gemini activates your 3rd House of Communication, while Pluto in Aquarius pushes influence through your 11th House of Networks.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Moon in Virgo activates your 9th House of Exploration, while Mercury in Gemini presses on your 6th House of Work.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The deal activates a committed pipeline above $100 million in client assets, the company said in a statement Wednesday.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Support for National and International Brazilian Film Festivals Through strategic sponsorships, Embratur funds and activates film festivals in Brazil and abroad, using cinema as a bridge between audiovisual storytelling and tourism.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 May 2026
Oatmeal, especially when soaked or fermented before cooking, activates natural enzymes that help break down difficult-to-digest compounds.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 18 May 2026
Rather than engaging the entire model for every request, MoE selectively activates specialised expert models, reducing computational strain while maintaining performance.
—Cloris Chen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Exhale fully, drawing your lower ribs in toward each other as your core activates and your rib cage moves down.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
The Sun in Gemini activates your 3rd House of Communication, while Pluto in Aquarius pushes influence through your 11th House of Networks.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
The Moon in Virgo activates your 9th House of Exploration, while Mercury in Gemini presses on your 6th House of Work.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The deal activates a committed pipeline above $100 million in client assets, the company said in a statement Wednesday.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Support for National and International Brazilian Film Festivals Through strategic sponsorships, Embratur funds and activates film festivals in Brazil and abroad, using cinema as a bridge between audiovisual storytelling and tourism.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 May 2026
Oatmeal, especially when soaked or fermented before cooking, activates natural enzymes that help break down difficult-to-digest compounds.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 18 May 2026
Rather than engaging the entire model for every request, MoE selectively activates specialised expert models, reducing computational strain while maintaining performance.
—Cloris Chen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Exhale fully, drawing your lower ribs in toward each other as your core activates and your rib cage moves down.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
Verb
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Clutched in the hands of students waiting to cross the stage is a QR code, either on paper or a phone, that triggers an announcement of their name.—
Kendall Staton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2026
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The elder Mann’s determination to make the controversial trip triggers a slew of conflicting and complex emotions, opening old familial wounds that sit on the surface but go largely unspoken.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … TROPIC TERROR — String of dead women found in popular American tourist getaway sparks hunt for killer.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
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When Ella Bright did her first chemistry read with fellow actor Belmont Cameli, sparks flew.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Instead of targeting a business that creates jobs, drives economic activity and contributes to local revenue, city leaders should focus on fiscal discipline and core services.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
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Yuen, cast as the untrained newcomer who upends the protagonist’s world, provides the catalyst that drives the film toward its conclusion.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Bitcoin’s implementation uses a specific elliptic curve called secp256k1, a mathematical structure that generates public-private key pairs.—
Sandy Peng,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Tourism generates more than $40 million in hotel taxes a year, and some of that money could be spent on museums.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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