as in killing
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
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Recent Examples of deactivating
In February, the author returned to Instagram after deactivating her account amid the controversy.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The system adapts automatically by identifying the most active myo sites, deactivating less useful sensors and fine-tuning responsiveness based on the user's signal strength.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
In addition, the lawyers asked the high court to review whether proceeding with his execution without first deactivating his implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, would defy the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The system adapts automatically by identifying the most active myo sites, deactivating less useful sensors and fine-tuning responsiveness based on the user's signal strength.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
In addition, the lawyers asked the high court to review whether proceeding with his execution without first deactivating his implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, would defy the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivating
Verb
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When Benson was on the ice killing penalties, the Sabres generated two scoring chances and allowed zero.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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But Halfmann suspects this hair-trigger system is needlessly killing brain cells in diseases like Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each trike benefits from a hydraulic brake at each wheel, with 180-mm rotors, and the rear lighting setup includes a braking tail-light plus turn signaling.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Oct. 2025
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This included the landing gear failed to deploy, along with reverse thrusters, which redirect engine thrust forward and are crucial for braking.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the plane ticket is part of the surprise, sticking it inside one of the compartments scores 10s across the board in terms of presentation.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
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James later shared the ad on social media with winking and tongue-sticking-out emojis; much of his audience, however, was not so amused, and one lifelong fan even sued.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deactivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivating. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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