as in to kill
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
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Recent Examples of deactivate
This gives it time to deactivate the garlic’s enzymes.
—
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
At the time of publication, Spears’ Instagram account appeared to have been deactivated or deleted.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Unlike some competing models that allow for toggle functionality—activating IS with one press and deactivating it with another—this model requires continuous pressure on the button to maintain stabilization.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
An election judge can order people to deactivate or turn off the devices on-site.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
At the time of publication, Spears’ Instagram account appeared to have been deactivated or deleted.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Unlike some competing models that allow for toggle functionality—activating IS with one press and deactivating it with another—this model requires continuous pressure on the button to maintain stabilization.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
An election judge can order people to deactivate or turn off the devices on-site.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate
Verb
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The same process happened with the government’s attempt to dismantle the Palestinian Authority in order to kill and bury the hope for Palestinian self-determination.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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The most recent attack occurred in Virginia at Old Dominion University, when 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire, killing one and injuring two others.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The competitive picture could swing again in Shanghai next week at the Chinese GP, as Melbourne was one of a small group of tracks where the engines are particularly starved of energy due to a lack of braking zones.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Another teaches panic braking techniques, allowing students to activate a vehicle's anti-lock braking system, or ABS, to stop safely.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, in 2023, the lights were shut off after years of environmental wear.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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