ACTIVATING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

activating 1 of 2

adjective

as in energizing

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

activating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of activate

as in triggering

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

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 activating

Adjective

Same Pathway, Different Results Nearly all the tumors, 95% of them, carried an activating mutation in a single signaling system, the MAPK pathway. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 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

Those cases often centered on devices mistakenly activating or capturing speech that was not intended as a command. — Mackenzie Sigalos,annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 Semaglutide mimics its activity by activating GLP-1 receptors in the body. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The protease partially pulls a proton off the water molecule, activating it to attack and break up the peptide bond. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Tory Burch excels at activating her frow-goers, dispatching content creators like Tefi Pessoa and Kennedy Eurich as correspondents, who saturate social media with guest interviews and interactions. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 The Libra moon is activating your curious third house of communication, making your exchanges charming and easygoing. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026 Hawaii officials had told residents to put together emergency kits, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Given Serra’s representation of Shift, the work is both an object in time and a device for activating time as a correlative of space. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Before the storm, NIPSCO prepared by activating our emergency response plan. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for activating

Adjective

Really, the most energizing part of the movie is its surprise subject matter.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
For example, lavender is said to have a calming effect, while citrus scents will seem more energizing and lively.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Definition of energizing

Verb

Once a dominant force in the chip manufacturing landscape, Intel hit major delays with its 7- and 10-nanometer nodes, triggering the stock's worst year ever in 2024.

— Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Both scenarios would have devastating consequences—dramatically transforming sea levels and ecosystems, and triggering compounding climate extremes such as higher temperatures and drought, increasing the likelihood of wildfires.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of triggering

Adjective

The environment around Venus at the top of the month is pointed, confrontational, and probably a bit rage-inducing.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Then there’s ker, a tangy berry from Jaisalmer traditionally snacked on to boost stamina, which the bartenders infuse into gin for a refreshing (stamina-inducing, even) gimlet.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of inducing

Verb

Polling shows the race has grown increasingly close, sparking concern from Republicans.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Following light snowfall and a lackluster ski season, the Boise area experienced a series of heat waves and persistent drought conditions, sparking a number of devastating fires.

— Hali Smith October 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparking

Verb

That's primarily the point, said Idaho House Majority Leader Jason Monks, a Republican who sponsored the measure as a means of driving up voter turnout during the midterm elections.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Technique works well in testing This strategy optimizes both the transport and perovskite layers together, driving efficiency and durability to record levels.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of driving

Adjective

For a team that finished with a 3-14 record last season, the victory was a galvanizing moment and a sign this year might be much more competitive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
For a change, Strahan and his producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini and others sought to put the emphasis on the joyful, inspirational, galvanizing and cathartic moments that the nation experienced in the days after the attacks.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of galvanizing

Adjective

On the columns of train stations, stickers bore the smiling faces of soldiers in their twenties alongside motivational quotes and the dates of their births and deaths.

— Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Though apparently diminishing his own roster is part of the team's motivational playbook.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of motivational

Browse Nearby Words

activates

activating

activator

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of activating

adjective

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