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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Sousa, returning from an oblique injury, will pitch on back-to-back days as the final step of his rehab assignment before Houston activates him.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026 -
Rumblex Max is the most advanced vibration plate in Lifepro's Rumblex series, delivering powerful 4D training that activates your entire body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That drives pocket-protector wearing water engineers a little crazy, because steady outcomes are what these men and women live for.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Thousands of Samsung Electronics workers rallied Thursday at its computer chip complex in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, demanding higher bonuses and threatening to strike as booming demand for artificial intelligence drives up memory-chip profits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The premeditation conviction automatically triggers a life sentence without the possibility of parole.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Each application triggers a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your score.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Each of us moves through a world strewn with figurative mountains and molehills, continually assessing what matters more and what matters less.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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What was a human being a second before is now a head bobbing among the waves as the vessel moves quickly away.—
David Szondy
April 19,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Don’t be surprised if the vintage-looking drinkware sparks conversations and compliments.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
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And for Mulligan, everything hinged on making the argument that sparks the season feel authentic.—
Ryan Brennan
April 16,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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