activates

verb

present tense third-person singular of activate
as in triggers
to cause to function the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of activates Kohler’s Dekoda, one of the newest entries, activates with a fingerprint tap on a remote. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 This celestial season activates your expansive ninth house of adventure, education and exposure, inspiring you to take a leap of faith or perhaps even embark on a meaningful trip. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 The result is a drug delivery system that activates only when needed, avoiding the risk of long-term administration of needlessly high doses. — Mike McRae 19, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026 Whether positive or challenging, everyone will see it while the Scorpio moon activates Jupiter. — Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The drug activates the orexin pathway that is dysfunctional in people with the condition, restoring the brain’s ability to remain alert during the day, and is approved for people with narcolepsy type 1. — Alice Park, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 Hinge slightly forward at the hips, which activates your glutes and hamstrings and puts less pressure on your knees. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Founded by Gracia Walker and Benjamin Silver, Broc Shot centers on sulforaphane, a compound derived from broccoli seed that activates the NRF2 pathway, part of the body’s natural defense system. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026 Pinching and holding both buds at the same time activates a new Audio Snapshot mode that records phone call audio or incoming sound and syncs it to the Nothing X app. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for activates
  1. triggers
  2. sparks
  3. drives
  4. generates
Verb
  • The training triggers a strong response in the bloodstream, increasing the mobilization of proteins and molecules in the hours following exercise.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparks
Verb
  • Reuse drives the design That reusable architecture could be just as important as the rocket’s lower unit cost.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The science behind rare disease drug development is changing fast, and with it, so is the financial engine that drives it all.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of drives
Verb
  • Today, the tax generates billions of dollars in annual revenue.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The club's professional team competes in Argentina's top division and generates revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting rights.
    — Manuel Rueda, NPR, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of generates

Browse Nearby Words

activated
activates
activating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Activates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/activates. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All