as in to kill
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
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Recent Examples of deactivate
In Australia, social media companies deactivated nearly 5 million accounts belonging to teenagers within weeks of the ban taking effect, the internet regulator said last month, suggesting the measure could have a sweeping impact.
—
Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Fascinating economic research has shown that many social-media users would pay money to avoid a break from social media while others continue using it, but many of those same users would pay money to have the entire network deactivated for everyone.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Following LoPiccolo’s accusations, multiple AEW Twitter accounts suspected of being burners were deactivated.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Fascinating economic research has shown that many social-media users would pay money to avoid a break from social media while others continue using it, but many of those same users would pay money to have the entire network deactivated for everyone.
—Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Following LoPiccolo’s accusations, multiple AEW Twitter accounts suspected of being burners were deactivated.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate
Verb
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Democrats demanded new restrictions on federal immigration agents in exchange for voting to fund DHS after Alex Pretti was killed last month in Minneapolis.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Cuba said 32 of its citizens were killed in the attack.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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According to officials, the SUV attempted to brake for debris on the road when the bus collided, sending them both into the concrete barrier and ending up on the Turner Turnpike shoulder.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This device recognizes when nature brings the water that your lawn needs and shuts off automatic sprinklers.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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If the patient moves, the system can react instantly, shutting off the beam to help prevent harm to healthy tissue, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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