1
as in activates
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drives
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuates
Verb
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Tonight the Aries Moon activates ambition, and a decision about visibility or leadership may suddenly feel obvious.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026 -
Leaning forward demands strength and stability in your core and lower back, while a rowing motion activates your shoulder, arm, and upper back muscles.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In confident markets, industrial demand drives silver’s price, Anya-Gafu says.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Criminalizing hemp and marijuana drives the black market and helps the cartels, not the people.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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That level of accuracy is what triggers panic and lowers your guard.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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The test cases—meaning the HTML or other code that triggers an unsafe memory condition—are provided in each one and meet the same criteria Mozilla requires for all bugs to be considered security vulnerabilities in Firefox.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Light-diffusing pigments blur the look of dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone with a soft-focus effect, while the proprietary Flex Form Matrix technology creates a breathable layer that moves with the skin throughout the day—without settling into fine lines or creasing.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Iran denies ever withdrawing from the Venice Biennale, and the Somalia Pavilion sparks controversy.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
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Regardless of the verdict, the initiative sparks broader efforts like planting wildflowers and reducing pesticide use.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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