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
The automobile manufacturer said the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied.
—
Ahjané Forbes, The Courier-Journal, 1 July 2024
In her call, the Brookfield resident said her 20-year-old niece had been unable to deactivate the account, which continued to spam other friends and family members with urgent requests for money.
—Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2024
The agency found viral fragments in one in five samples of commercial milk, although this virus had been deactivated by pasteurization so was not infectious.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Yet this is exactly the type of household that needs to properly dispose of and deactivate unwanted medications.
—Kelly Juleson, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deactivate 
Ahjané Forbes, The Courier-Journal, 1 July 2024
In her call, the Brookfield resident said her 20-year-old niece had been unable to deactivate the account, which continued to spam other friends and family members with urgent requests for money.
—Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2024
The agency found viral fragments in one in five samples of commercial milk, although this virus had been deactivated by pasteurization so was not infectious.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Yet this is exactly the type of household that needs to properly dispose of and deactivate unwanted medications.
—Kelly Juleson, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deactivate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deactivate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deactivate
Cite this Entry
“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share