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
Typically, Waymo’s software treats deactivated traffic signals as four-way stops, but the traffic volume overwhelmed the system.
—
Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 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.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Following the backlash to her appearance at the conservative event, Minaj deactivated her Instagram account.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 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.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Following the backlash to her appearance at the conservative event, Minaj deactivated her Instagram account.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 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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In cars, they’re used to connect the battery to motors, for lights and sensors, for braking systems, airbag controllers, entertainment systems and electric windows.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2025
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Drivers should slow down significantly while accelerating and braking gradually.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
23 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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