1
as in activates
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drives
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuates
Verb
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Once repair is complete, growth hormone activates a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus, which gently nudges you toward waking.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026 -
Dreaming big is par for the course when Mercury activates Jupiter.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Imagining an eternity of this, Creasy disables his car’s braking system and drives into a concrete pylon.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during game five of the first round playoffs against the Orlando Magic last night.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This plateau triggers all the synapses with the eligibility trace to strengthen.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
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Coal exporters like Indonesia are also ramping up their stockpiles as the Middle East conflict triggers a price surge.—
Julius Cesar Trajano,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carr is a natural athlete who moves like a great shortstop, and his ability to find cleaner throwing air out of the pocket — and his ability to make throws from multiple arm slots — is special.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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As the Moon moves through your 9th House of Learning, conversations shape direction.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County began when a foil-like party balloon hit a power line and sparks ignited surrounding vegetation, authorities say.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Rescue sparks debate in country Officials in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said their strategy had focused on minimizing stress for the animal, rejecting public calls for the whale to be euthanized to end its suffering.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Actuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuates. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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