ACTUATE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'actuate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive , impel , and move . While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion. // turbines actuated by waterpower

Q: When could 'drive' be used to replace 'actuate'?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus. // a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Q: Where would 'impel' be a reasonable alternative to 'actuate'?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus. // a candidate impelled by ambition

Q: When is it sensible to use 'move' instead of 'actuate'?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position. // moved the furniture

actuate

verb

ˈak-chə-ˌwāt

Definition of actuate

as in to activate

to cause to function a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to move

to set or keep in motion hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb actuate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When could drive be used to replace actuate?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Where would impel be a reasonable alternative to actuate?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use move instead of actuate?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

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 actuate Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click. — Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 Optical switches actuate via light rather than metal contacts. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026 Creating such complex structures combining soft and rigid features and actuating them with artificial muscles would further our understanding of natural kinematic structures. — IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2026 The robots respond differently depending on how researchers actuate them. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate

Verb

Several other brands have activated during high-stakes competitions and inked their own collaborations that tap into the convergence of beauty and sports this year.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Ars Video When activated, Motion Assist adds small dots around the edges of your phone screen over top of the content.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Acceptance moves you out of frustration and into a place of proactivity.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

Near-death experiences are frequently triggered by a life-threatening event, such as cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury or a car accident.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
This triggered a realignment within the gaming industry, and put them at odds with Nevada regulators, too.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

In the episode that sparked the backlash, Piker claimed that pro-Israel Jewish leaders conflate Jewish identity with support for Israel, and cause anger at Israel to fuel antisemitism and endanger American Jews.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The investigation was sparked after the West Side safety net hospital came under fire for improperly doling out COVID-19 vaccinations soon after the shots became available.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of spark

Verb

Shares of marketing software company Salesforce surged roughly 22% on the week, propelled by a beat-and-raise quarter and a new partnership with large language model maker Anthropic.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of propel

Verb

Roman then opened its array of solar panels and sunshades, which power the craft and keep its sensitive instruments cool.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The tiny chargers that power our phones have a secret weapon known as gallium nitride (GaN).

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

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actually

actuate

actuated

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“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of actuate

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