as in kills
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
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Recent Examples of deactivates
The man looks down almost immediately after the light turns on when the light deactivates.
—
Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivates
kills
Verb
-
Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Clara bursts through a window and kills them all.—
John Kenney,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivates. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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