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
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
New York City is activating its heat and flash flood emergency plans for Thursday and Friday due to dangerous temperatures and storms in the forecast. — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Beyond sleep, tai chi helps lower blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves that relaxes the body after stress or danger. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The program rewards families for activating the account, opening a savings account alongside it, and make deposits. — John Ketcham, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 The Royals considered activating Witt on Friday before their game at the Colorado Rockies. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 In the Character Wheel, the eleven dimensions are integrated, each activating and restraining the others. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Its latest exhibition, exploring the theme of touch, has traveled to Dongliang Maison, activating the store’s two villa houses. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 July 2026 Stewart grabs the ring activating it, before the car crashes in the canyon below. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026 Some people might be more prone to activating an immune component known as IgE, for example, which tends to stimulate other immune mechanisms involved in an allergic reaction. — Alice Park, Time, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activating
  1. energizing
  2. triggering
  3. inducing
  4. sparking
  5. inspiring
  6. driving
  7. galvanizing
  8. motivational
Adjective
  • 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
  • Conversely, a company may prevail in court while still suffering reputational harm, triggering a decline in share value, eroding stakeholder trust and reinforcing negative narratives.
    — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Steve Ballmer, the team’s owner, invested $60 million into Aspiration, triggering allegations that the payment to Leonard circumvented the NBA salary cap.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggering
Adjective
  • Work in context is both more productive and less burnout-inducing.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • In the fifth and final season of The Boys, creator-showrunner Eric Kripke and his writers’ room had their work cut out for them, with a complex cast of characters’ arcs to wrap up, from the heartbreaking to the adrenaline-inducing and absurdly hilarious.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 June 2026
Definition of inducing
Verb
  • The man accused of sparking the biggest of three wildfires in Spokane, Washington, has a long history of mental health issues and previously pleaded guilty in the killing of his father, according to court records obtained by NBC News.
    — Emanuella Grinberg, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The man accused of sparking the Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial in June.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparking
Adjective
  • Stop asking whether your company's values sound inspiring and start asking whether those values remove options.
    — Brandon Shannon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing more inspiring — and dangerous — than the prodigal son hired to fix his old team.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of inspiring
Verb
  • These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nearly 30 years to the day that Shakur was gunned down in the passenger seat of a BMW Knight was driving, Davis is accused of murder for allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur in retaliation for a fight.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Adjective
  • The riot was a galvanizing event and led to the creation of LGBTQ advocacy organizations like Gay Liberation Front and GLAAD.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The January 2023 shooting of the environmental activist, known as Tortuguita, became a galvanizing moment for protests against Atlanta’s police training center.
    — R.j. Rico, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of galvanizing
Adjective
  • Pushing harder won't work, and neither will motivational messaging.
    — Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While his exhortation left off Brady’s signature profane intensifier, the motivational gambit remained explicit even in the absence of the familiar F-bomb.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of motivational

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activates
activating
activator
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Cite this Entry

“Activating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activating. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on activating

Nglish: Translation of activating for Spanish Speakers

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