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
Relevance
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
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 actuate
And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
-
Mars and Pluto activate your Leo-Aquarius axis on April 26, stirring questions about career, leadership, and emotional safety.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
-
According to the statement, one NFI and one WFI were activated on April 14, and the other two NFIs were activated on April 16.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Coppola was moved by the tributes that had been bestowed.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2025
-
According to Victoria Dittmar of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas, production continues by other Sinaloa cartel factions, and has since moved into neighboring states like Sonora and Baja California, where cooks operate under the oversight of the cartel.—
Jason Motlagh,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The handling of the sensitive military discussions among Trump's brass also triggered widespread U.S. security concerns.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
However, the app’s rising popularity quickly triggered national security and data concerns outside China due to Beijing’s requirement for domestic firms to share data with the PRC.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Atlanta took advantage, with Trae Young driving for a layup to tie the score at 106 with 1.3 seconds remaining and force overtime.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Those receivers helped spark LSU’s national title in 2019 and played a big role in two transfer QBs (Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels) coming to Baton Rouge and winning Heisman Trophies.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Fox News Digital recently reported that pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian agitators stormed a talk by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at Princeton, sparking criticism from Jewish students at Princeton.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Though often criticized and not without frequent failures, the company’s resilience and experimentation have propelled major advancements in electric vehicles and renewable energy.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The baseball traveled 375 feet and propelled the Tigers to a 3-1 victory.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
By Carmen Arroyo | Bloomberg Elon Musk’s X Holdings Corp. is evolving from a social media platform powered by mainstream advertisers to one betting on dollars generated from artificial intelligence and subscriptions — a change that appears to have buoyed its revenue lately.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Two goals from Messi powered Miami to a dramatic 3-1 in the second leg.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There simply was not an apparent burning platform to compel leadership to alter course—or to impel stakeholders to align on a new vision for the future.—
Paul Laudicina,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Creating Equitable Opportunities For Learners Everywhere The intersection of technology and education is one of the most compelling areas to impel social and economic development.—
Haroldo Jacobovicz,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share