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
Cooking helps inactivate these compounds, Messer explains, but those with thyroid concerns may want to moderate their intake or consult a healthcare professional.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
And treating infectious milk before it’s dumped—perhaps with a weak acid such as vinegar or lemon juice to inactivate the virus, Lakdawala says—could keep H5N1 out of wastewater.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2025
Female cats have two X-chromosomes, one of which is randomly inactivated early in embryonic development on a cell-by-cell basis (figures 1 & 2), giving rise to tortoiseshell or calico fur color patterns.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
The activity of p53 in a cell is regulated by another gene known as MDM2 that encodes a protein that essentially inactivates the p53 protein.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
And treating infectious milk before it’s dumped—perhaps with a weak acid such as vinegar or lemon juice to inactivate the virus, Lakdawala says—could keep H5N1 out of wastewater.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2025
Female cats have two X-chromosomes, one of which is randomly inactivated early in embryonic development on a cell-by-cell basis (figures 1 & 2), giving rise to tortoiseshell or calico fur color patterns.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
The activity of p53 in a cell is regulated by another gene known as MDM2 that encodes a protein that essentially inactivates the p53 protein.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inactivate
Cite this Entry
“Inactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactivate. Accessed 12 Sep. 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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