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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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
  • This can be done by activating a population called Q neurons in a region of the hypothalamus.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers produced biochar by carbonizing mixed food waste at 752°F and then activating it with potassium hydroxide at temperatures between 1,112°F and 1,472°F.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • The duo bicker, both in person and over the phone, as their uneasy dynamic proves to be the show’s driving force yet again.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And with the war in Iran already driving up energy and transportation costs, businesses have less room to absorb another hit.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • The Treasury’s intervention helped boost risky bets, triggering an upswing in crypto prices.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Redistricting battle spread to numerous states Missouri’s mid-decade redistricting effort has been among the most litigated nationally, triggering about a dozen lawsuits over the past year.
    — David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Earlier, Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Washoe County, Nevada, said the fire was moving Northeast as of Saturday evening, according to a social media post.
    — Jenna Harrison, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • People are already moving materials around in all of those places, and a lot of that work is repetitive, physically punishing, or puts people near real hazards.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • Early screening tests suggested thousands of Arkansas third graders were at risk of falling short, sparking alarm among some parents and educators.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Listening in from a nearby water tower via a wire, Rand realizes Kershaw’s connection to the plot and holds him at gunpoint, sparking a fierce brawl between them.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparking
Verb
  • While the rocket’s first stage — the booster used for liftoff — returned to Earth, its second, or upper, stage continued propelling the robotic landers on their path to the moon.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Thrive’s fingerprints are all over the relatively small number of companies that are rapidly propelling AI forward, moving with more confidence and speed than many people probably want.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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