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
  • Semaglutide mimics its activity by activating GLP-1 receptors in the body.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The protease partially pulls a proton off the water molecule, activating it to attack and break up the peptide bond.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • Biggs has accused the Hobbs administration of driving up home prices with stringent water requirements that stalled new buildings in parts of the Phoenix area.
    — Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • No amount of spending from whatever PAC source is driving it into the elections are going to change that dynamic.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Pandemic closures slashed membership by 55%, triggering a $40 million revenue collapse in 2020 that forced leadership to freeze hiring, defer capital projects, draw on reserves and adjust lender terms.
    — Chase Jordan October 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The store owner was in Israel at the time, triggering a yearslong extradition process.
    — Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • In this moving memoir Levy details the reality of reclaiming autonomy post-divorce.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hickel also found himself back behind the camera, moving a puppet frame by frame.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • The unrest comes on the eve of Art Basel Paris this week, sparking concerns about the impact this may have on the fair and a packed week of art events throughout the city.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • By the turn of the millennium, tastemakers like David Beckham, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé were flaunting Evisu, sparking a wave of interest in Japanese brands that continues to the present day.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sparking
Verb
  • Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in the dynamic first period of his four-point night, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-1 victory over the winless Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in the dynamic first period of his four-point night, propelling the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-1 victory over the winless Kings on Tuesday.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of propelling

Browse Nearby Words

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 Oct. 2026.

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