Activate

Quick meaning: Activate is a verb meaning (transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.

Meaning

(transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.
2. (transitive, chemistry, physics) To render more reactive; excite.
3. (transitive, biology) To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function.
4. (transitive, physics) To render a substance radioactive.
5. (transitive, chemistry) To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating.
6. (transitive, computing, software) To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock.
7. (transitive) To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter.

Example Sentences

activate the economy

A new squadron was activated.

The pranksters activated the fire alarm by spraying deodorant next to it.

Word Forms

• activates
• activating
• activated

Synonyms for activate

Depending on context, synonyms include actuate, enable, set off, spur, start, stimulate.

Antonyms for activate

Common opposites include deactivate, inactivate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include actuate, trip, set off, spark, trigger, aerate.

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