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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Improper conditions can lead to damping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.—
Kerry Michaels,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
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Listeria infects approximately 1,250 people in the United States annually, by CDC estimate, and kills about 172.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivates. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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