1
as in to activate
to cause to function
a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to move
to set or keep in motion
hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actuate
And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
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The system can only be activated under certain driving conditions, requiring specific environmental and traffic criteria to be met.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
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Carsley said during his spell as interim coach that White still had his ‘do not disturb’ status activated after Southgate’s departure last summer.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Re-signing two of their own free agents, defensive tackle Kevin Givens and running back Patrick Taylor Jr., to one-year deals didn’t move the enthusiasm needle much, either.—
Matt Barrows,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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This requires a fundamental redefinition of the sales process, moving away from a purely transactional model toward a more engaging, collaborative and impactful approach.—
Drew Gurley,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This seemed to trigger Kanye, who dropped Bully in the middle of an X rant about Carti, with Kanye also claiming Carti snubbed him on Music.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
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Tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum last week triggered retaliatory tariffs from Canada and the European Union, adding to countermeasures already initiated by China.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The decision to focus on Bernstein and von Karajan was driven by Danish’s fascination with their contrasting reputations and profound cultural influences.—
Court Stroud,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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This is why machines driven by biological muscles have always been rather small and simple—up to a couple centimeters long and typically with only a single actuating joint.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One sailor was presumed dead in the collision, which sparked fears of significant environmental damage.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
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With Black consumers having $2 trillion in buying power, this boycott could be the lightning rod that sparks a much wider movement.—
Allyson Kapin,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But the incident was enough to propel the city into action, passing a law in 1980 that has since been modified into the Facade Inspection & Safety Program.—
Mark Dent,
thehustle.co,
14 Mar. 2025
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Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images Scientists, advocates and experts who have spent decades compiling the research needed to propel the regulations don't agree with Zeldin's assessment.—
Tracy J. Wholf,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Silicon Valley will transform into a moviegoer’s playground next week as the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival powers its way onto South Bay theater screens.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Athena was expected to operate for about 10 days before powering down as lunar night fell over the spacecraft’s landing site at Mons Mouton, a plateau that lies about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the south pole.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That didn’t impel the NFL to change the overtime rule, which at the time said a game ends if a team scores a touchdown in the extra period.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2025
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Without doing so, the city risks adding to the recent record of downgrades from the ratings agencies and impels that any new infrastructure debt minimizes additional costs over the long run.—
Dana Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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