as in energizing
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as in triggering
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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Recent Examples of activating
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video allegedly shows Phillips leaving the business and the lights on his car activating.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Counsell estimated the April 3-5 series in Cleveland might be the earliest the Cubs would consider activating Suzuki.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The device also factors in shutter lag (the delay between activating the shutter release button and the image being recorded), setting up your camera to start the exposure milliseconds earlier thus ensuring a maximum chance of catching the various phases of a lighting storm in progress.
—Shirl Leigh
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Antagonists arrive in the form of a private equity firm looking to acquire the company, activating an endgame.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
There are several ways to take down enemies, including using a Decoy Gun to spawn a hologram of Hugh, draw the bots to a trap and activating the iradiating beam.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
After such an activating start to the year, you’re invited to rest, reflect, and reconnect with your spiritual side.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video allegedly shows Phillips leaving the business and the lights on his car activating.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Counsell estimated the April 3-5 series in Cleveland might be the earliest the Cubs would consider activating Suzuki.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The device also factors in shutter lag (the delay between activating the shutter release button and the image being recorded), setting up your camera to start the exposure milliseconds earlier thus ensuring a maximum chance of catching the various phases of a lighting storm in progress.
—Shirl Leigh
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Antagonists arrive in the form of a private equity firm looking to acquire the company, activating an endgame.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
There are several ways to take down enemies, including using a Decoy Gun to spawn a hologram of Hugh, draw the bots to a trap and activating the iradiating beam.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activating
Verb
-
The tightening of the reins in the British Mandate for Palestine comes as Adolf Hitler and Germany invade Poland, triggering the beginnings of World War II, and as Jewish refugees fleeing persecution begin entering the region.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the themes Common Sense Media highlights, the Trigger Warning Database's list also includes potentially triggering events or themes, like drugging, avalanches, poverty and more.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The limited animation, built around Xerox-style images of the characters with various frozen expressions, is a little headache-inducing.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But the auctioning of legendary guitars brought the most money — and swear-inducing, nail-biting stress — to the event.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hall subsequently crashed the vehicle along the Southwest Freeway and attempted to flee on foot, sparking an hours-long standoff in a nearby residential area, according to the outlet.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Senate Republicans doubled down on their plan Friday in the final days of the legislative session, sparking confusion as competing elections proposals advance during the frenetic closing days of the 40-day session.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kristopher David was driving to work Wednesday morning near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Seventh Avenue when a black Audi, traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, T-boned his white BMW.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Wake early to catch the spectacle of sunrise before driving 30 minutes to the neighboring Santa Teresa.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Attendees will receive a pair of wireless headphones and an earful of inspiring sounds.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That wouldn’t matter so much if The Dreadful were more galvanizing.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, this was a galvanizing moment in my relationship with Brian Grazer that ultimately would lead us to launch a company.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
My high school basketball coach was, depending on the day, either a motivational genius or a certified madman.—
Mark Glende,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2026
-
With traces of the trap titans that paved the way, Kushington’s motivational raps filled his trapper-friendly The Streets Is Yours debut project, which arrived last March.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activating. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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