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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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Take these steps to win bonus bets for basketball, baseball, hockey and other sports this weekend: Follow the links on this page to activate the welcome offer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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Breathing in and sighing out slowly for longer than your in breath with an open mouth can activate the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system.—
Paul McClure
May 24,
New Atlas,
24 May 2025
Verb
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If the execution moves forward this time, Smith will be the first inmate executed in Tennessee since 2020 and the 19th in the U.S. this year.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The new kickoff rule should ease the frustrations Nixon had as a returner last year, too, since moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line will incentivize teams to kick to Nixon instead of booting it over his head again.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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That passage marked the start of more frequent financial warnings from Dimon, including worries of a recession — which didn’t happen until the 2020 pandemic triggered a two-month contraction — as well as concerns around market meltdowns and the ballooning U.S. deficit.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
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That's why the spectacular cruelty with which the cuts were carried out tanked Musk's personal brand and triggered Trump's inexorable decline in approval.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The franchise has driven over half a billion hours of streams, with the original accounting for more than 280 hours.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 May 2025
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Derek Jeter gets his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth player in Yankees history to reach the milestone. 2008 — Chase Utley tied the National League lead with his 16th homer and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed Colorado 20-5.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Concerns about the fiscal situation sparked a market sell-off on Wednesday.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
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The film sparked a real-life romance between Gosling and McAdams, who dated from 2005 to 2007.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The album's success propelled Boone to new heights, including a Grammy nomination and a slate of high-level performances.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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The four-day weekend will propel the film’s ticket sales above $200 million globally.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
25 May 2025
Verb
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At 43, this might look like a driver nearing the twilight of his career; the undeniable talent behind the wheel that powered him to two world titles, and within a handful of points of another three, finally starting to wane.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Meanwhile, Blue Origin inked a deal with United Launch Alliance to supply a version of its New Glenn main engine to power that company's Vulcan rocket.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
Verb
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These are questions Li rarely directly poses but which the reader is inevitably impelled to ask.—
Daphne Merkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Powerful domestic pressures impel and constrain both countries’ foreign policy choices.—
Lee Hsien Loong,
Foreign Affairs,
4 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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