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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The same circadian system that morning sunlight activates can be reinforced or undermined by what’s screwed into your lamps for the next 14 hours.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026 -
Mercury in Cancer, for instance, activates your partnership sector — followed by the sun later this month — bringing focus to romantic, business or close one-on-one dynamics.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The scenario might be to treat 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 59th, 125th, and maybe the streets leading to the transverse drives across the park this way, giving them over to buses and bikes with some street-dining structures and greenery to boot.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
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That rapid glucose spike drives insulin up and can contribute to metabolic stress over time.—
Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
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That's because June 1 triggers salary cap mechanisms for allowing the team to trade the star receiver.—
Armando Salguero,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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By the time the 2030 census triggers the next redraw, virtually every state will redraw again, with partisan advantage as the primary goal.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
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As the federal government’s immigration crackdown moves closer to the Bay Area, about 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San Jose to protest plans to build a detention center in Gilroy.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
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The Boroughs stars Molina as Sam Cooper, a retired engineer who moves to the village after the death of his wife.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Our mission is to create bold, cinematic film and television that challenges perception, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting emotional imprint.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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