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

When an unplanned blast kills a boy from the village, the elders take advance compensation to keep the peace.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Listeria infects about 1,250 people in the United States annually, according to the CDC, and kills about 172 of those people.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deactivates

verb

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