ACTUATE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'actuate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive , impel , and move . While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion. // turbines actuated by waterpower

Q: When could 'drive' be used to replace 'actuate'?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus. // a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Q: Where would 'impel' be a reasonable alternative to 'actuate'?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus. // a candidate impelled by ambition

Q: When is it sensible to use 'move' instead of 'actuate'?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position. // moved the furniture

actuate

verb

ˈak-chə-ˌwāt

Definition of actuate next

as in to activate

to cause to function a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to move

to set or keep in motion hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb actuate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When could drive be used to replace actuate?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Where would impel be a reasonable alternative to actuate?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use move instead of actuate?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

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 actuate And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940. —

Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024 The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors. —

IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023 When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white. —

Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023 Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback. —

IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for actuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate

Verb

The referral agent is also voice activated and calls patients to connect them with the right specialists.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025
When their neurons were activated by the light, the mice ate much smaller meals.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2025