DEACTIVATES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

deactivates

verb

present tense third-person singular of deactivate

as in kills

to cause to stop functioning deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock

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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 deactivates The man looks down almost immediately after the light turns on when the light deactivates. — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026 This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026 The heat from the water also deactivates enzymes that break down pigments. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 In response to the Digital Trends story, Nissan admitted that the radar module, made by Bosch, sometimes deactivates itself, which then disables the cruise control and emergency braking system. — IEEE Spectrum, 10 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivates

kills

Verb

Because the coating stops being an insulator when its breakdown threshold is reached, the charge rips through it in a miniature dielectric breakdown, the same failure mode that kills capacitors and transformer insulation.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
The forest feels healthy even though it is pockmarked with dead standing beetle kills.

— Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of kills

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deactivated

deactivates

deactivating

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

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Synonyms of deactivates

verb

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