as in energizing
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as in triggering
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of activating
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
After all, with several planets in Aries activating your partnership sector, important conversations and turning points are almost inevitable in this area of your life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Unfurling her wings for the first time and activating them under the weight of her armature seems to pose a challenge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video allegedly shows Phillips leaving the business and the lights on his car activating.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Counsell estimated the April 3-5 series in Cleveland might be the earliest the Cubs would consider activating Suzuki.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
These spaces and events are activating an intergenerational, community consciousness and conversation.
—Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
After all, with several planets in Aries activating your partnership sector, important conversations and turning points are almost inevitable in this area of your life.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Unfurling her wings for the first time and activating them under the weight of her armature seems to pose a challenge.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Musgrove will have to progress to throwing off a mound to bullpens to live batting practice to likely minor league rehab games before the Padres can think about activating him.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Surveillance video allegedly shows Phillips leaving the business and the lights on his car activating.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Counsell estimated the April 3-5 series in Cleveland might be the earliest the Cubs would consider activating Suzuki.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activating
Verb
-
The tightening of the reins in the British Mandate for Palestine comes as Adolf Hitler and Germany invade Poland, triggering the beginnings of World War II, and as Jewish refugees fleeing persecution begin entering the region.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the themes Common Sense Media highlights, the Trigger Warning Database's list also includes potentially triggering events or themes, like drugging, avalanches, poverty and more.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The limited animation, built around Xerox-style images of the characters with various frozen expressions, is a little headache-inducing.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But the auctioning of legendary guitars brought the most money — and swear-inducing, nail-biting stress — to the event.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hall subsequently crashed the vehicle along the Southwest Freeway and attempted to flee on foot, sparking an hours-long standoff in a nearby residential area, according to the outlet.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Senate Republicans doubled down on their plan Friday in the final days of the legislative session, sparking confusion as competing elections proposals advance during the frenetic closing days of the 40-day session.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The dynamic stage production, directed by Phillip M Church, features Justine Chichester, Shawn Buller and Laquantis Morton who deliver—verbatim—Taussig’s inspiring and evocative voice.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Attendees will receive a pair of wireless headphones and an earful of inspiring sounds.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The January 2023 shooting of the environmental activist, known as Tortuguita, became a galvanizing moment for protests against Atlanta’s police training center.—
R.j. Rico,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
That wouldn’t matter so much if The Dreadful were more galvanizing.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The idea comes from men’s relationship coach and motivational speaker Alessandro Frosali, who compared some low-maintenance partners to, well, plastic bags in a viral video.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
2 Apr. 2026
-
King, who is in his early fifties, is a former marine, a motivational speaker, and a mental-health and substance-abuse professional.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Activating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activating. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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