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
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Recent Examples of actuating
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
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuating
Verb
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After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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The judge also had Crosby’s driving license suspended.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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By 2033, the trust fund will run dry, triggering that immense, across-the-board drop that is slated to punish the most vulnerable Americans by collapsing all benefits an equal share regardless of income.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Number 17 in the current THSB Private Large Schools rankings, Grace Prep could be moving up in that poll next week after a 4-3 victory over No 4 Fort Worth Christian earlier this week.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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With Mercury, Mars, the Sun, Saturn, and Neptune all moving through Aries this month, along with a new moon in your sign on April 17, the focus shifts decisively to your body, your appearance, and your desires.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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Savannah Guthrie is renewing pleas to neighbors, friends and residents of Tucson, Arizona, to jog their memories in the hopes of sparking new leads in the disappearance of her mother, Nancy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Doncic’s dominance has rescued the Lakers, propelling them to season-best winning streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Hannah Montana kickstarted Cyrus’ career in 2006, propelling the then-teenager to global superstardom and serving as a launching pad for her for pop music career.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuating. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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