inactivate
verb
in·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt 
inactivated; inactivating; inactivates
: to make inactive
chemicals to inactivate viruses
Examples of inactivate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pasteurization and proper cooking techniques inactivate the virus.
—
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
In the case of polio, critics are zeroing in on a vaccine using inactivated, or killed, virus that causes the body to produce its own antibodies against the virus that causes polio and stop it from spreading to the central nervous system.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Besides the potential irritation that can come along with using too many actives (or trying one too many TikTok trends) at once, layering on the wrong combo of products can inactivate skin-care ingredients, therefore rendering the product ineffective.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024
Multiple studies have demonstrated that pasteurization, the process of heating milk for a short period of time, inactivates the virus.
—Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inactivate 
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Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
In the case of polio, critics are zeroing in on a vaccine using inactivated, or killed, virus that causes the body to produce its own antibodies against the virus that causes polio and stop it from spreading to the central nervous system.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Besides the potential irritation that can come along with using too many actives (or trying one too many TikTok trends) at once, layering on the wrong combo of products can inactivate skin-care ingredients, therefore rendering the product ineffective.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024
Multiple studies have demonstrated that pasteurization, the process of heating milk for a short period of time, inactivates the virus.
—Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inactivate
Dictionary Entries Near inactivate
Cite this Entry
“Inactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactivate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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Medical Definition
inactivate
transitive verb
in·ac·ti·vate
(ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
inactivated; inactivating
: to make inactive: as
a
: to destroy certain biological activities of
inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat
b
: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity
inactivate bacteria
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