ACTIVATE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

activate

verb

ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of activate As crews were battling the fire in the congested building the flames began to burn through the roof, which led to a second alarm being activated and additional units responding, according to fire officials. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025 There is a release clause of around €55million (£46m) and Athletic will only sell if that gets activated, so the fact his contract ends in 2027 is irrelevant. —

The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 In a Facebook post, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said several government agencies were activated to respond to the incident, including the health ministry to coordinate medical resources to those injured. —

Jessie Yeung, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025 For sections of hair that are difficult to style, there’s a turbo button that can be activated to burst up to 27°F of extra heat. —

Addie Morton, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for activate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate

Verb

The flurry of changes triggered by the directive has led to the erasure of articles featuring NASA astronomers from underrepresented communities that the agency published in years past, like this one.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Trump's executive actions — many of which have direct links to Project 2025 — have already had far-reaching impacts, triggering a rapid shakeup of the federal bureaucracy.

— Avery Lotz, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025