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
Eventually, however, the astronaut Dave Bowman succeeds at deactivating HAL, ignoring the computer’s desperate pleas to stop.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Fowler's report was shortly followed by Jennings deactivating his Instagram page, which led some to believe that the rumors about the fifth-year wideout potentially being on the trading block may have some validity.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
More research is needed to learn how polyphenols deactivate viruses and how this may be used in pharmaceuticals or therapeutics.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Fowler's report was shortly followed by Jennings deactivating his Instagram page, which led some to believe that the rumors about the fifth-year wideout potentially being on the trading block may have some validity.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
More research is needed to learn how polyphenols deactivate viruses and how this may be used in pharmaceuticals or therapeutics.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate
Verb
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Four people were killed over a four-day period in crashes on Arkansas highways, according to preliminary Arkansas State Police reports.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rounding out the mechanical upgrades is a revised braking system, which should come in handy on particularly treacherous routes.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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The loss of rear vehicle lighting can reduce the vehicle visibility and fail to alert other drivers on the road if the vehicle is braking, turning or reversing which can increase the risk of a crash.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Greater Cincinnati Water Works will not shut off water for customers who don't pay their bills – if those customers have been furloughed from federal jobs or denied SNAP benefits.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Liz Marx, director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, worries about families whose utility service is currently shut off who are counting on LIHEAP to restore services.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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