actuates

verb

present tense third-person singular of actuate
1
as in activates
to cause to function a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks

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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
  1. activates
  2. drives
  3. triggers
  4. moves
  5. sparks
Verb
  • Tirzepatide, sold as Zepbound and Mounjaro, activates GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Marine Rain Massage is an immersive treatment that releases muscle tension, calms the nervous system, and activates circulation.
    — Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of activates
Verb
  • Under the proposal, a commuter who drives on I-90 from Barrington to work downtown and back 50 weeks a year would be charged $950 in 2027, up from $600 this year.
    — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That Treasury bond specifically drives the direction of consumer lending rates, such as for mortgages, credit cards and personal loans.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of drives
Verb
  • Regardless of what triggers the growth, managing it well takes leadership discipline.
    — Richard Neal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This phenomenon, the study notes, triggers the formation of tiny, slushy ice crystals known as frazil ice that then quickly builds up and clogs the pathway.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • The result moves the KARNO platform beyond standalone operation and gives Hyliion a foundation for larger multi-megawatt installations built from standardized modules.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The film moves horizontally instead of vertically, and a lot of people get thrown off by that.
    — Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of moves
Verb
  • On July 22nd, sparks from a piece of heavy machinery ignited a fire near the town of Burgohondo, in Ávila province.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani announcement cracking down on tips sparks fury when internet notices one problem.
    — , FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of sparks
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.

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actuated
actuates
actuating
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Cite this Entry

“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actuates

Nglish: Translation of actuates for Spanish Speakers

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