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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Beginning to disconnect from your life and relationships Trauma can also be a piece of the picture—whether your work situation causes trauma or activates old trauma.—
Jess Cording,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025 -
What happens from there was, for me, almost completely unexpected and Harrow activates both the brain and the heart in equal measure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over half of the generation says hard work, not luck, drives success.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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Security leaders have long viewed data as a strategic asset that drives insights, innovation and market advantage.—
Asaf Kochan,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Asking for headcount often triggers a budget reflex.—
Sarah Chambers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Although the shooting causes alarm and triggers police investigations, Serafina initially escapes direct consequences by going into hiding.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The job market moves quickly, and preparation is your competitive advantage.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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The all-new Habiton lives and sleeps larger than its footprint thanks an entire room that actually moves back and forth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And Deion sparks a reaction in people no other coach in the sport does.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Charlie Kirk death sparks shouting match on the House floor.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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White Out possesses the quest element that propels many a recovery memoir—except that in Clune’s case, the quest for sobriety is until the end consistently subordinated to the quest to score more drugs.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
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Each sperm is streamlined for speed, with a tail that propels it forward and a head that carries genetic material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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