actuating

verb

present participle of actuate
1
as in activating
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 driving
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

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.
Recent Examples of actuating Creating such complex structures combining soft and rigid features and actuating them with artificial muscles would further our understanding of natural kinematic structures. — IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2026 Dynamic soft robots To create OCTOID’s modular actuating legs, researchers fabricated active (AL) and passive layers (PL) from cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) using a bottom-up self-assembly of reactive mesogens, crosslinkers, and chain extenders. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuating
  1. activating
  2. driving
  3. triggering
  4. moving
  5. sparking
  6. propelling
Verb
  • The second exercise is a double-leg glute bridge and hold, which focuses on activating those hamstrings and glutes — both essential muscles in supporting acceleration and top speed.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Those launches were successful, but ground teams ran into problems activating and commissioning satellites made by York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • The war with Iran and renewed closure of the strait aren’t the only factors driving prices higher.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • For Åkerfeldt, there were two competing philosophies driving the band’s music.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Mitochondria also play central roles in detecting and reacting to stress, and even in triggering cells to self-destruct if damage is deemed too great.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
  • Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant.
    — Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Regena and Frankie Felix went to the hospital ready for the birth of their child, but they were sent home by staff who felt Regena’s labor wasn’t moving along fast enough on Monday, July 13, Fox 10 reported.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Consider Updating Your Plumbing Just like with lighting, switches, and outlets, many kitchen renovators plan on adding or moving plumbing lines for appliances, pot fillers, and more.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • An infection characterized by severe diarrhea is sparking low-grade panic over produce.
    — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 15 July 2026
  • These seemingly small actions can lead to dry grass ignition, potentially sparking a wildfire.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of sparking
Verb
  • Shares were up again today, propelling it to another new high.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • How Novak Djokovic’s serve is propelling him toward more tennis history — just like Jannik Sinner’s is doing for him.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of propelling

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actuates
actuating
actuator
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Cite this Entry

“Actuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuating. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actuating

Nglish: Translation of actuating for Spanish Speakers

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