as in to trigger
to cause to function
the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of activate
Exposure to cold activates receptors in the skin, causing blood vessels to constrict to conserve body heat.
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Aliss Higham, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
The alert will trigger an emergency lockdown and will alert the Broward Sheriff’s Office real-time crime center, which has access to surveillance cameras that activate during an emergency.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Suppose Alice gives Bob one bitcoin in a transaction that will activate only after block 1 million.
—Korok Ray, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
All of this intense emotion can activate issues that may otherwise be dormant, and those issues can present themselves in the choosing of a name for a baby.
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for activate 
Aliss Higham, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
The alert will trigger an emergency lockdown and will alert the Broward Sheriff’s Office real-time crime center, which has access to surveillance cameras that activate during an emergency.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Suppose Alice gives Bob one bitcoin in a transaction that will activate only after block 1 million.
—Korok Ray, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
All of this intense emotion can activate issues that may otherwise be dormant, and those issues can present themselves in the choosing of a name for a baby.
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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The fire triggered a round of mandatory evacuations in the nearby areas of Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
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Results failed to meet bond covenants for more than $700 million borrowed against future revenue, triggering an uncomfortable conversation between the medical provider and the insurance company that protects investors.Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Lyrics are usually the last part, but sometimes a specific idea or thought would spark me to write a structure around that.Ron Hart, SPIN, 10 Jan. 2025
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Beijing’s stimulus push has so far not been able to spur consumer credit demand, and is yet to spark any meaningful rebound in the faltering economy.Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This year's fires, driven by dry conditions and strong winds, have threatened high-value properties, forced evacuations, and underscored the risks of climate change and urban development in fire-prone areas.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
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But the demand for them remains high, with a big driving force coming from young adults who are increasingly putting off having children but opting to get pets — and paying lots of money to treat them well.Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Acer has launched two new handheld PCs, the Nitro Blaze 8 and 11 with higher resolution displays powered by AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processors.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Allowing China to take Taiwan would also be an economic and geopolitical blow for the U.S., since Taipei is the primary source of semiconductor chips that power smart devices and a friendly economical hub in the Pacific.Brad Dress, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Similarly, The Count of Monte Cristo – which was France’s most successful film at the international box office in 2024, generating 3.3M admissions for a €20.7M gross – went straight to TV in Italy, where it was broadcast as a special film event on December 26 and 27 by Canale5.Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
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While the 2024 data is not yet available, according to PJM, the regional transmission organization, about 7.8% of energy generated in the state came from wind, solar and water sources, and 42.9% was from nuclear sources.Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The couple had just moved from their modest fixer-upper in Altadena’s Janes Village to their dream home in architect Gregory Ain’s Park Planned homes, when the Eaton fire roared to life.Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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While Alt moved from the left side to the right, Latham made the reverse transition and played well in his first season at left tackle.Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near activate
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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