as in triggers
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of activates
The system, created by Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan, uses AI and sensors to detect when a crash is imminent and activates automatically if the plane is below 3,000 feet.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Neuroscience confirms that a rival’s failure actually activates the ventral striatum, the brain’s pleasure center, rivaling the thrill of a team’s success.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The exceptional drought designation activates mandatory water use reductions for more than 120 groundwater permit holders, including private well owners, utilities, and municipalities such as Buda and Kyle.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Liquid Glass activates fluid elements, such as, keeping home screen apps as normal or change them to appear translucent, showing off the background image.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
What happens from there was, for me, almost completely unexpected and Harrow activates both the brain and the heart in equal measure.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
At a certain point along the way, the other hinge activates to begin lifting the screen upward.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
These kinds of double rocket landings won't be possible again until SpaceX activates the new landing pad at SLC-40.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
This then activates stronger signaling within cells, enhancing T-cell activation, cytokine production and tumor-killing abilities.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Neuroscience confirms that a rival’s failure actually activates the ventral striatum, the brain’s pleasure center, rivaling the thrill of a team’s success.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The exceptional drought designation activates mandatory water use reductions for more than 120 groundwater permit holders, including private well owners, utilities, and municipalities such as Buda and Kyle.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Liquid Glass activates fluid elements, such as, keeping home screen apps as normal or change them to appear translucent, showing off the background image.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
What happens from there was, for me, almost completely unexpected and Harrow activates both the brain and the heart in equal measure.
—Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
At a certain point along the way, the other hinge activates to begin lifting the screen upward.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
These kinds of double rocket landings won't be possible again until SpaceX activates the new landing pad at SLC-40.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
This then activates stronger signaling within cells, enhancing T-cell activation, cytokine production and tumor-killing abilities.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
Verb
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Asking for headcount often triggers a budget reflex.—
Sarah Chambers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Although the shooting causes alarm and triggers police investigations, Serafina initially escapes direct consequences by going into hiding.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And Deion sparks a reaction in people no other coach in the sport does.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Charlie Kirk death sparks shouting match on the House floor.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over half of the generation says hard work, not luck, drives success.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Security leaders have long viewed data as a strategic asset that drives insights, innovation and market advantage.—
Asaf Kochan,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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California's cap-and-invest program generates billions through emissions credit auctions.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This generates revenue but that is only part of the story.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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