as in to kill
to cause to stop functioning
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 deactivate
The Amber Alert has been deactivated and police say there is no threat to the public.
—
Emma Marsden
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
For example, if your smartphone with a digital wallet is lost, the device can be remotely wiped and the payment function deactivated.
—True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Pacific power deactivated the power lines in the Big Springs area for firefighter safety and are currently working to reenergize.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
TikTok eventually removed the video, and all social media accounts associated with the username have been deactivated, BBC reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Emma Marsden
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
For example, if your smartphone with a digital wallet is lost, the device can be remotely wiped and the payment function deactivated.
—True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Pacific power deactivated the power lines in the Big Springs area for firefighter safety and are currently working to reenergize.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
TikTok eventually removed the video, and all social media accounts associated with the username have been deactivated, BBC reported.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate
Verb
-
The man accused of pulling the trigger in a Christmas Day shooting that killed two Milwaukee teenagers is no longer on the run.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
The projectile struck the victim’s back but didn’t immediately kill them.—
Aurora Martínez,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
It’s caused by suspension movement, especially over bumps or during braking.—
Kristin Shaw,
Popular Science,
31 July 2025
-
In contrast to other semi-autos, the e-clutch does not require you to rely on the clutch at all, even while braking or stopping.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Original Story: SpaceX’s Starlink appears to be suffering a major outage that’s shut off satellite internet access for consumers across the globe.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 July 2025
-
Once there’s a stoppage at or under four minutes left in the final quarter, the clock shuts off.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share