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
Relevance
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
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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
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
Verb
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By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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That means activating our downtown with farmers markets, cultural events, outdoor gatherings, and community programming that gives residents a reason to be there.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
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That’s when Angotti got going, driving a ball over the left-center-field fence.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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These reforms stripped the dominant Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of its historical control of the regional government, driving it into active opposition.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
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On March 26, 1997, the Red Wings sought retribution as McCarty went after Lemieux, triggering a full-scale brawl with goalies Roy and Mike Vernon in a bloody fight at center ice.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
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The incident occurred on Wednesday night when authorities received a report of shots fired outside Barrett’s home, triggering a police response.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Nippon Dynawave was cited for moving equipment involved before it could be inspected, but not for the incident itself, the news outlet reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Decades ago, two six-year-olds went missing for thirty-six hours, sparking a media frenzy that they had been briefly abducted by UFOs but eventually relegating them to a pop cultural punchline.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Bitcoin has swung wildly over the last few months as a sudden BlackRock bitcoin fund sell-off accelerates, sparking fears of a bitcoin price crash.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Texas State’s Chase Mora greeted USC closer Adam Troy with a monstrous two-run home run to left field in the top of ninth, propelling the Bobcats to 5-4 upset before a crowd of 6,956.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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The rules produced by students at Eton in 1847, by contrast, outlawed the use of hands for propelling the ball.—
Thomas Adam,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuating. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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