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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • Founded by Gracia Walker and Benjamin Silver, Broc Shot centers on sulforaphane, a compound derived from broccoli seed that activates the NRF2 pathway, part of the body’s natural defense system.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Pinching and holding both buds at the same time activates a new Audio Snapshot mode that records phone call audio or incoming sound and syncs it to the Nothing X app.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of activates
Verb
  • Locarno Pro itself drives to identify opportunities during good times and industry malaise.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The longtime Disney executive had most recently served as chairman of Disney Experiences, the unit that includes the theme parks, cruise lines and consumer products, and which drives profitability for the company.
    — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of drives
Verb
  • Presentation of the key, combined with the device already being signed in to the user’s Google account, triggers the Google server to present an authentication assertion to the site the user wants to log in to.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In short, by calling 911, that usually triggers a law enforcement response.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • Pitch a idea for a team huddle, and let your expressive style set a cooperative tone that moves decisions forward.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The judge’s order paused the rollout of the surcharge on high-value second homes in the city while a lawsuit brought by a group of homeowners moves forward.
    — Katherine Koretski, CNN Money, 10 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actuates

Nglish: Translation of actuates for Spanish Speakers

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