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
When the body chamber is inflated, air actuates the robot: Its wings flap downward from their initially flat position.
—
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
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
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
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 31 Dec. 2024
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
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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She was accused on Monday of having accidentally activated a website for a future campaign to lead the Labour Party.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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The consultancy has a role in advising, managing, activating and measuring more than $5 billion in client partnerships across sports, entertainment, gaming and corporate social responsibility.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Moreover, the bottle had only ever moved between Burgundy and Bordeaux, a driving distance of roughly 300 miles.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Held for weeks with no contact The protests began in late December, triggered by anger over spiraling prices, and quickly spread across the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The protests began in late December, triggered by anger over spiraling prices, and quickly spread across the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … 'VILE' — Dem Rep's 'total meltdown' in heated hearing with ICE director sparks viral outrage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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The war has sparked worldwide protests and brought accusations of genocide that Israel denies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Biden's win in that county in 2020 helped propel his win in Georgia as a whole, which had 16 presidential electoral votes.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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This much charge can power a small fan for a while or propel a paper plane in an electromagnetic launcher.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pack includes a controller, navigation hardware, and solar panels to power the system.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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From the digital creations that power our modern world to the bridges that span these waters, the Bay Area has always been the American cradle of invention.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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