deactivate
verb
de·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
Examples of deactivate in a Sentence
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web
Mayo deactivated his Instagram account last month after the Jayhawks lost to Houston in double-overtime.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Its website was shut down last month, email accounts deactivated and USAID's Washington, D.C., headquarters were occupied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
In early February, the USAID website went dark, about 2000 USAID personnel email accounts were deactivated, and the agency’s classified computer system and internal USAID guidance became inaccessible.
—Byscience News Staff, science.org, 18 Mar. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
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Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Its website was shut down last month, email accounts deactivated and USAID's Washington, D.C., headquarters were occupied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
In early February, the USAID website went dark, about 2000 USAID personnel email accounts were deactivated, and the agency’s classified computer system and internal USAID guidance became inaccessible.
—Byscience News Staff, science.org, 18 Mar. 2025
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deactivate
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
deactivate
transitive verb
de·ac·ti·vate
(ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
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