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
Unlike some competing models that allow for toggle functionality—activating IS with one press and deactivating it with another—this model requires continuous pressure on the button to maintain stabilization.
—
Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The motivation is clear after a down year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a championship team that gave him a $17 million contract and almost 500 plate appearances before deactivating him throughout the postseason.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Gilbert also spoke out in support of her husband for the first time on Tuesday after deactivating her social media accounts on Sunday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
TikTok is deactivating all accounts held by under-16 users.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The death toll in Hong Kong's apartment complex fire climbed to 159 on Wednesday, as six people were arrested on suspicion of deactivating some fire alarms during maintenance work at the housing complex, authorities said.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Eventually, however, the astronaut Dave Bowman succeeds at deactivating HAL, ignoring the computer’s desperate pleas to stop.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Fowler's report was shortly followed by Jennings deactivating his Instagram page, which led some to believe that the rumors about the fifth-year wideout potentially being on the trading block may have some validity.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Sanders was dealing with a back injury, which led to the Browns deactivating him for the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The motivation is clear after a down year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a championship team that gave him a $17 million contract and almost 500 plate appearances before deactivating him throughout the postseason.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Gilbert also spoke out in support of her husband for the first time on Tuesday after deactivating her social media accounts on Sunday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
TikTok is deactivating all accounts held by under-16 users.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The death toll in Hong Kong's apartment complex fire climbed to 159 on Wednesday, as six people were arrested on suspicion of deactivating some fire alarms during maintenance work at the housing complex, authorities said.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Eventually, however, the astronaut Dave Bowman succeeds at deactivating HAL, ignoring the computer’s desperate pleas to stop.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Fowler's report was shortly followed by Jennings deactivating his Instagram page, which led some to believe that the rumors about the fifth-year wideout potentially being on the trading block may have some validity.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Sanders was dealing with a back injury, which led to the Browns deactivating him for the game.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivating
Verb
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The Basij were the entity linked to the crackdown on nationwide civilian protests in late December and early January, allegedly killing thousands.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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Two sport utility vehicles slammed into each other on Saturday night in Cooke County when the driver of one passed a third vehicle, killing a couple and their young son, authorities said.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Torque-vectoring control and performance braking package The four-wheel-drive version of the Ti3 adds a series of premium features aimed at improving performance, comfort, and the overall driving experience.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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Tracks such as Shanghai, meanwhile, feature more corners and braking zones, so this factor the drivers and many fans don’t like is much reduced.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Apply a thin layer around the door frame to keep dust from sticking and building up there.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
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One of those at Nottingham Forest’s Europa League defeat to Midtjylland last night seized the moment by turning to the camera and sticking his fingers in his ears (above).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivating. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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