Actuate

Quick meaning: Actuate is a verb meaning (transitive) To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.

Meaning

(transitive) To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To incite to action; to motivate.

Example Sentences

Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.

Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.

1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, 2. ed., London, Oxford University Press, 1973. § 11. A man in a fit of anger, is actuated in a very different manner from one who only thinks of that emotion.

I walk always with my right hand closed round the india-rubber ball which I have in my trouser pocket. The pressing of this ball actuates a detonator inside the flask I carry in my pocket. It's the principle of the pneumatic instantaneous shutter for a camera lens.

Word Forms

• actuates
• actuating
• actuated

Synonyms for actuate

Depending on context, synonyms include set off, trigger, instigate, provoke, abet, goose.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include activate, trip, set off, spark, trigger, elicit.

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