as in to trigger
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activate
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Denver activated the undrafted rookie before the postseason.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Walz activated 1,500 Minnesota National Guard troops in response.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
Five months and 1,500 miles later, while driving, all dashboard warning lights activated and the steering locked.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Denver activated the undrafted rookie before the postseason.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Walz activated 1,500 Minnesota National Guard troops in response.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
Five months and 1,500 miles later, while driving, all dashboard warning lights activated and the steering locked.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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The landslide was triggered by heavy rains, but ex-miners blame unsafe conditions.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His candidacy sparked sharp divisions, with supporters portraying him as a symbol of stability and opponents denouncing him as a reminder of authoritarian rule and unresolved war crimes.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Senate Bill 26-005 comes after federal agents shot and killed two American citizens who were at immigration operations in Minnesota, sparking protests across the country.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The driver then drove into the city of Wheat Ridge and allegedly crashed into a Honda Pilot near Pierce Street and West 32nd Avenue several minutes later before continuing on.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nations that can reliably power the infrastructure underpinning advanced technologies will hold structural advantages in the 21st century.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Georgia Power is among several electric companies in the South building new natural gas plants to meet the unprecedented electricity demand for data centers, warehouses packed with servers that power artificial intelligence and our digital lives.—
Kristi Swartz,
AJC.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the project falls through or is unable generate enough incremental tax revenue, Vantage won't be paid back for its up-front investments through the $456 million tax incremental financing district approved in November.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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The momentum for the entire jump is generated by the glide of the outside edge, which Malinin maintains with a deep knee bend that serves as the spring for launching into the air and landing back on the same leg, on the same blade edge.—
Alice Park,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Moreover, the bottle had only ever moved between Burgundy and Bordeaux, a driving distance of roughly 300 miles.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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