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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Rhode The world of Rhode is activating in the desert!—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The brain compensates by activating the forehead muscles to lift the brows.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police testified Konig fled the scene after the hikers intervened, triggering a manhunt before he was spotted with what appeared to be blood on his shirt and taken into custody after a struggle.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Oil tanker traffic through the strait plunged during the war due to Iranian attacks on vessels, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The trend of schools moving away from technology comes as evidence emerges that access to screens does not improve student outcomes and could instead be holding them back.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The proposal also is sparking opposition for what land — and trees — would be cleared to make way for the driving range.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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Fuel tanks at its main airport were also struck on Wednesday, sparking a large fire.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, marquee events like Dak’Art and Recontres de Bamako (Bamako Encounters) have established themselves as launch pads, propelling African artists into international art markets and institutional circuits.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Increasingly, a generation that grew up with smartphones, iPads and Netflix is propelling today’s biggest blockbusters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actuating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuating. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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