deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
Synonyms of deactivatenext

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
deactivation
(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun
deactivator
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of deactivate

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Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After the father tried to screenshot the messages, which alerted Partee, Partee deactivated his Instagram account. — Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Summit County has deactivated its entire Flock system, and the sheriff said it won't be used for at least 30 days. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 In May 2024, it was reported that ASML now places a kill switch in its EUV machines that can be used to deactivate the machines remotely, to prevent an adversary from using them in the event of a hostile takeover. — Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 According to DeFlock, at least 100 cities have deactivated the cameras or canceled contracts with Flock or similar companies. — Meg Anderson, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deactivate

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deactivate was in 1920

Rhymes for deactivate

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Browse Nearby Words

deacon seat
deactivate
deacylate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deactivate

verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivation
(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

deactivate

transitive verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
deactivation
-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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