Deactivate

Quick meaning: Deactivate is a verb meaning (ergative) to make something inactive or no longer effective.

Meaning

(ergative) to make something inactive or no longer effective.

More Meanings

1. to prevent the action of a biochemical agent (such as an enzyme)
2. to remove a person or piece of hardware from active military service
3. (Internet, euphemistic, neologism) to commit suicide

Example Sentences

deactivate a device

deactivate an account

chemically deactivate

The chemical agent was deactivated by exposure to heat.

Word Forms

• deactivates
• deactivating
• deactivated
• de-activate

Synonyms for deactivate

Depending on context, synonyms include inactivate.

Antonyms for deactivate

Common opposites include activate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include inactivate, neutralize, decommission, neutralise, defuse, deselect.

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