DEACTIVATE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

deactivate

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

Definition of deactivate

as in to kill

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 deactivate Klein, senior White House reporter at CNN, also said her badge had been deactivated. — Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026 White House reporters from the two cable networks — Betsy Klein of CNN and Akayla Gardner of MS NOW — both went live to report they’d been turned away, their press badges deactivated, when arriving for their jobs at the White House. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Klein reported that a Secret Service agent said her press pass had been deactivated. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026 According to the manufacturer, the system is designed to deactivate organic medications including opioids, most illicit drugs and vape fluid in different forms like pills, liquid and patches. — Sunny Linnebur, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deactivate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deactivate

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
Zelenskyy said 23 people were killed in the attack, including four children.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of kill

Verb

Happily, there is an enormous amount of suspension and braking integrity to the bike, and its suite of electronics is top-notch – cornering ABS, Traction Control, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system are standard.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
In less than 12 minutes, the Crew Dragon's velocity was reduced from 17,000 mph at the start of the descent to just 15 mph at splashdown thanks to atmospheric friction and, finally, braking provide by four large parachutes.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of brake

Verb

On Saturday, around seven masked robbers shut off the alarms and surveillance cameras surrounding one of Marchesi Antinori’s cellars in Cortona.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Roberts’ video surveillance security system, police said, was shut off just before Russell arrived at his home.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of shut off

Browse Nearby Words

deacons

deactivate

deactivated

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Style

“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deactivate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deactivate

verb

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