ACTIVATING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

activating 1 of 2

adjective

as in energizing

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Dissimilar Words

activating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of activate

as in triggering

to cause to function the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 activating

Adjective

Same Pathway, Different Results Nearly all the tumors, 95% of them, carried an activating mutation in a single signaling system, the MAPK pathway. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 After such an activating start to the year, you’re invited to rest, reflect, and reconnect with your spiritual side. — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026

Verb

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 Given Serra’s representation of Shift, the work is both an object in time and a device for activating time as a correlative of space. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Before the storm, NIPSCO prepared by activating our emergency response plan. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 There's also an AI voice assistant for activating in-car features, and a mobile app for remote air conditioning management, charging status monitoring, and automatic parking. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026 Hawaii officials told residents to put together emergency kits and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. — Megan Janetsky, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026 Hawaii officials told residents to put together emergency kits, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. — Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 The holiday season is a boon for beauty sales — NielsenIQ reported in 2025 that nearly a quarter of annual beauty sales the year prior occurred in November and December — and Sephora is no newbie to activating around the period. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 Noise acts as a stressor, activating the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems and affecting heart rate, blood pressure and other physiological processes. — Laura Coco, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for activating

Adjective

Really, the most energizing part of the movie is its surprise subject matter.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
For example, lavender is said to have a calming effect, while citrus scents will seem more energizing and lively.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Definition of energizing

Verb

The country must therefore eliminate schemes, such as a kickback scheme at the state nuclear operator exposed in November 2025, that are unrelated to defense spending but capable of triggering major corruption scandals.

— Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Deep underground, groundwater comes into direct contact with iron-rich minerals such as olivine, triggering a chemical reaction called serpentinization.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of triggering

Adjective

The environment around Venus at the top of the month is pointed, confrontational, and probably a bit rage-inducing.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Then there’s ker, a tangy berry from Jaisalmer traditionally snacked on to boost stamina, which the bartenders infuse into gin for a refreshing (stamina-inducing, even) gimlet.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of inducing

Verb

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly attacked refineries from Moscow to Siberia, sparking a widespread fuel crisis in Russia earlier this year that forced authorities to restrict gasoline sales.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
The moves are sparking concern on both sides of the Atlantic, while stock markets continue to watch uneasily.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparking

Adjective

Cosumnes Community Services District Board President Peter Sakaris said the dedication to growing the pumpkins is inspiring, but the community’s support is equally remarkable.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
In another series, in another era, those developments might have led to teachable moments and inspiring speeches, and the most bittersweet beats of the series are the ones that suggest how a happier ending could have come to pass.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of inspiring

Verb

In the employer market, more recent data suggest the volumes of prescriptions — which are proprietary — are driving up spending more than prices, although prices are still a factor.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
When the Vikings regained possession Minnesota gobbled up the clock, driving the ball to the 2-yard line before ending the game with the victory formation.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of driving

Adjective

For a team that finished with a 3-14 record last season, the victory was a galvanizing moment and a sign this year might be much more competitive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
For a change, Strahan and his producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini and others sought to put the emphasis on the joyful, inspirational, galvanizing and cathartic moments that the nation experienced in the days after the attacks.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of galvanizing

Adjective

According to her TikTok profile, Velasquez is a motivational speaker and author with more than 940,000 followers on the platform.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Swayze, who McDonnell had worked with once before, played motivational speaker Jim Cunningham, who was revealed to be in possession of child pornography in the movie.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of motivational

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“Activating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activating. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of activating

adjective

verb

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