1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
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
-
New users can sign up through our links to activate this welcome offer in time for second round action over the weekend.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recently issued a joint advisory warning that two-factor authentication needed to be activated for all webmail and VPN accounts as a matter of urgency.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The baby kept moving her fingers right around the dog's eyes, but Daisy Doo didn't care.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Once the pandemic came along, Stegemann moved bit by bit from Hamburg out to Bender’s in the countryside.—
Fiona Bornhöft,
Architectural Digest,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum last week triggered retaliatory tariffs from Canada and the European Union, adding to countermeasures already initiated by China.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2025
-
This seemed to trigger Kanye, who dropped Bully in the middle of an X rant about Carti, with Kanye also claiming Carti snubbed him on Music.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The decision to focus on Bernstein and von Karajan was driven by Danish’s fascination with their contrasting reputations and profound cultural influences.—
Court Stroud,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
-
This is why machines driven by biological muscles have always been rather small and simple—up to a couple centimeters long and typically with only a single actuating joint.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Another 1,671 firms reached $2.5 to $4.9 million, up from 506 in 2021. Transportation and warehousing: With the e-commerce explosion sparking demand for last-mile transportation and warehousing, solopreneurs in this space profited.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Schumer’s move has sparked outrage from some Democrats and progressive activists who protested at his office and called on him to resign his position.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the incident was enough to propel the city into action, passing a law in 1980 that has since been modified into the Facade Inspection & Safety Program.—
Mark Dent,
thehustle.co,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Now Amazon is putting it back in the spotlight: The reality show, which premiered in 2004, helped propel Donald Trump to new heights and set the stage for his political career.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Westman Atelier’s skin tint evens out the complexion with a formula powered by skin-loving ingredients such as ginseng and pomegranate extract, sunflower and almond oil, and a ginger root complex.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
-
When enabled, Sentry Mode keeps a vehicle's camera and sensors powered on and ready to record suspicious activity.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That didn’t impel the NFL to change the overtime rule, which at the time said a game ends if a team scores a touchdown in the extra period.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Without doing so, the city risks adding to the recent record of downgrades from the ratings agencies and impels that any new infrastructure debt minimizes additional costs over the long run.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share