Synonyms of deactivate

deactivate

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

as in to kill

to cause to stop functioning

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kill
• brake
• shut off
• stick
• turn off
• dismantle
• phase out
• halt
• cut off
• jam
• flick (off)
• arrest
• mothball
• stall
• draw up
• chock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activate
• move
• start
• trigger
• run
• drive
• power
• set off
• generate
• turn on
• propel
• push
• spark
• charge
• actuate
• fire
• fuel
• switch
• release
• launch
• crank (up)
• touch off
• discharge
• trip
• energize
• electrify
• reactivate
• recharge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deactivate

The account has been deactivated and was subsequently banned by the social media platform, which noted that the content of his livestream related to self-harm violated TikTok’s community guidelines. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Landon deactivated her personal and campaign Facebook pages in June after the election. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Additionally, standard formulas quickly deactivate upon contact with pavement or dust, failing to prevent new seeds trapped in the cracks from sprouting days later. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

After the original company shuttered in 2018, its website was deactivated. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026