1
as in to activate
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actuate
To enable more precise adjustments, the bike has twin throttle bodies with each pair of cylinders actuated independently.
—
New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
When Lange released a chronograph variation in 2023, these pushers were repurposed to actuate the timing functions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The two chambers of the soft, pneumatic finger are actuated manually, using two large syringes filled with air.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for actuate
New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
When Lange released a chronograph variation in 2023, these pushers were repurposed to actuate the timing functions.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024
And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The two chambers of the soft, pneumatic finger are actuated manually, using two large syringes filled with air.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
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As Lyles started to activate his signature top-end speed, his Jamaican competitors continued to pull away ahead of him.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Angels already had a catcher on the concussion list, but Logan O’Hoppe has been progressing well and he’s expected to be activated when the Angels begin a series in Milwaukee on Tuesday.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sacramento State, which was denied in a bid to move up to FBS over the summer, came back from an early deficit to beat Mercyhurst, with Damian Henderson II running for 98 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Trump has a long history of moving from one tactic to another, like an ape branching between trees.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the last fortnight alone, Starmer's Deputy Prime Minister and close ally Angela Rayner has resigned after a house tax scandal, triggering a major cabinet reshuffle.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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However, there have been some social media posts and videos celebrating his killing, while others have criticized Kirk and his beliefs, which has in turn triggered a backlash.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere, a strange new trend has started, seeing users stitch together clips of Jeremiah from various episodes into horror film-like videos, driving home the message that this is not just another cute, curly-haired college student but a malevolent Disney villain.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Discover the fascinating economics driving billion-dollar industries.—
thehustle.co,
thehustle.co,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The score remained that way until the eighth when Ramírez sparked a two-out rally with a double.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
20 Sep. 2025
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The chance encounter sparks difficult political and moral conversations between the young lovers, a debate that ends up affecting the entire community.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her basic skillset mirrors the knight’s; armed with a sword-like needle, Hornet can attack in close range melee both forward and up, and descend on baddies with a downward strike that doubles as a bouncing mechanism to propel further.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
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Voters then propelled Grazer to a landslide win over the massive 32 Chunk, a bear that, months earlier, had killed one of Grazer's cubs.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to Dongfang, the behemoth structure will be able to power 55,000 households at peak output and its central hub will stand 606 feet high—roughly twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Some oil companies not only invest in energy efficiency for their buildings but use solar or wind to power their wells.—
Michael Oxman,
The Conversation,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the recent protests were sparked by the social media ban, protesters said that they had been impelled by years of government corruption and failure to provide young people with economic opportunities.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Our faith had recklessly impelled us toward a commitment that faith alone could not sustain.—
Terry Nguyen
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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