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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activate
Simply attach it to a car seat or stroller, so little hands can pull on it to activate the Purple Monkey Song.
—
Pamela Brill, Parents, 22 May 2025
When those drills had activated on the day of the blast, one of their motors had created a spark.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Calculate your target income, package your services, structure your client portfolio, create your professional presence, and activate your network.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Leave a comment View Comments During her residency, Ernst created a new design for the library’s display window, a gold and blush Phoenix gown with feathers that rise and fall, activated by passersby who place their hands up to a panel on the window.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Pamela Brill, Parents, 22 May 2025
When those drills had activated on the day of the blast, one of their motors had created a spark.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Calculate your target income, package your services, structure your client portfolio, create your professional presence, and activate your network.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Leave a comment View Comments During her residency, Ernst created a new design for the library’s display window, a gold and blush Phoenix gown with feathers that rise and fall, activated by passersby who place their hands up to a panel on the window.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activate
Verb
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The decision triggered a federal investigation, which ultimately resulted in no charges.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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Even minutes of downtime can erode market trust, invite regulatory scrutiny and trigger systemic consequences.—
Srikanth Bellamkonda,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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These suggestions could prove to be the best present or at least spark an idea for the right gift for the dads in your life.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to the country’s Department of Natural Resources.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Verb
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During my visit, Leal and I drove in his vintage Jeep to 1900 Barker, a coffee shop on Lawrence’s main drag.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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Much of the innovation that drives societal progress and economic productivity does not emerge from revolutions in thought, but from the subtle extension and application of existing knowledge.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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At 43, this might look like a driver nearing the twilight of his career; the undeniable talent behind the wheel that powered him to two world titles, and within a handful of points of another three, finally starting to wane.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Blue Origin inked a deal with United Launch Alliance to supply a version of its New Glenn main engine to power that company's Vulcan rocket.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Over the last twelve months, the company generated $2.6 billion in revenue.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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In the fifth, the Dodgers generated their best chance against Senga … only for the right-hander to induce a two-out grounder from Smith that ended the threat.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The two new fire stations, plus the new fire department headquarters that is set to hold a relocated Fire Station 4, are being moved at the recommendation of a 2021 plan that looked to lower emergency response times.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
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Word moved around the ticket-holders, likely waiting for Novak Djokovic’s match to follow this one, that one of their own was doing something special.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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