deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
Synonyms of deactivatenext

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
deactivation
(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun
deactivator
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of deactivate

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Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Researchers still need to determine how to deactivate the protein once treatment is no longer necessary. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026 More than 5 million accounts have been deactivated since the ban came into effect in December. — Ainslie Chandler, Fortune, 27 June 2026 To prevent the organs from being rejected by their new human hosts, Revivicor deactivated a gene that codes for the enzyme that creates the alpha-gal molecule. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Since the start of 2026, over 20 American towns and cities have deactivated their Flock cameras or cancelled their contracts. — Harry Booth, Time, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deactivate

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deactivate was in 1920

Rhymes for deactivate

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Browse Nearby Words

deacon seat
deactivate
deacylate
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Cite this Entry

“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deactivate

verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivation
(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

deactivate

transitive verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
deactivation
-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deactivate

Nglish: Translation of deactivate for Spanish Speakers

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