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
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
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
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Storrie plays a young inmate in the film who attacks and ultimately kills Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) in Arkham Asylum.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
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Statewide in California, the population of between 50 and 70 wolves were responsible for 175 livestock kills between January and October of last year, state data show.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivates. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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