ACTIVATES Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

activates

verb

present tense third-person singular of activate

as in triggers

to cause to function the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 activates The agency rejected the recommendation, saying that using cameras that automatically activate when an officer pulls their weapon or activates a car siren could risk privacy concerns. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 And a few are very highly specific, such as the protease that activates insulin, which only cuts near a very specific series of amino acids. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 The left earbud activates transparency with a single tap, returns to the previous track with a double tap, and lowers the volume with a tap-and-hold. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 Our body releases hormones and activates heat shock proteins that protect our cells. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 Simple heel-to-toe walking activates the calves, Stoughton said. — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Soaking grains and legumes before cooking them activates an enzyme called phytase that breaks down the phytates in foods. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026 The geometry of the dome itself regulates ventilation and activates natural air circulation through the stack effect, complemented by floor-level air intake to prevent direct drafts and maintain a consistent microclimate. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 The Aries Full Moon activates your career zone, bringing recognition, ambition, or a long-developing goal into clearer view. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates

Verb

Now, his firing triggers a buyout package of around $12 million, according to Yahoo's Ross Dellenger.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Endurance testing Heating the material triggers a chemical reaction that removes loose chlorine ions and forms strong bonds between indium, oxygen, and phosphorus.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

This approach also drives innovation by ensuring new technologies address real challenges cotton growers are facing.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
And more importantly, what is this anxiety so many men feel about their emotions that drives them to torturously invent bodies that bear little resemblance to the human form?

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

IllustratorMagic generates the text, illustrations, and page layouts, producing a complete book rather than separate images that require manual assembly.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026
As a result, in addition to producing hydrogen, the perovskite photocathode also generates the electricity that powers the entire system, allowing the device to operate without an external power supply.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of generates

Browse Nearby Words

activated

activates

activating

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of activates

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes