deactivate
verb
de·ac·ti·vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates
transitive verb
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
deactivation
(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən
noun deactivator
(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- kill
- shut off
- turn off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web Long-time consumer safety advocate Ralph Nader this month joined The Dawn Project’s call for greater scrutiny of Tesla’s FSD software and asked NHTSA to deactivate the system. 
Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Between her final goodbyes, Gabriella held her phone, trying to figure out how to delete her email account and deactivate her Instagram. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 In a similar vein, the original eIDAS wanted governments to have the ability to remotely deactivate an ID to cut off an entity from access to its funds in the name of curbing illicit activities. Alastair Johnson, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Want to deactivate your Facebook account, but are afraid of losing your precious videos? Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2022 Hot weather can temporarily deactivate aster yellows, but this won’t resolve the situation. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2022 Only giving users the ability to temporarily disable or deactivate an account doesn’t cut it. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 1 July 2022 For maximum grins, fully deactivate the M4's stability control and switch to 2WD mode to transform it into a rubber-burning rear-driver. Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 22 June 2022 At the same time, the app maker must ensure people can fully delete their account, not just deactivate it, and that all personal data is deleted, according to the Apple developer website. Kate O'flaherty, Forbes, 26 May 2022 See More
Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Between her final goodbyes, Gabriella held her phone, trying to figure out how to delete her email account and deactivate her Instagram. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 In a similar vein, the original eIDAS wanted governments to have the ability to remotely deactivate an ID to cut off an entity from access to its funds in the name of curbing illicit activities. Alastair Johnson, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Want to deactivate your Facebook account, but are afraid of losing your precious videos? Orlando Mayorquin, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2022 Hot weather can temporarily deactivate aster yellows, but this won’t resolve the situation. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2022 Only giving users the ability to temporarily disable or deactivate an account doesn’t cut it. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 1 July 2022 For maximum grins, fully deactivate the M4's stability control and switch to 2WD mode to transform it into a rubber-burning rear-driver. Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 22 June 2022 At the same time, the app maker must ensure people can fully delete their account, not just deactivate it, and that all personal data is deleted, according to the Apple developer website. Kate O'flaherty, Forbes, 26 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
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
deactivates
verb
as in kills
to cause to stop functioning deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- kills
- brakes
- shuts off
- sticks
- dismantles
- halts
- turns off
- jams
- mothballs
- stalls
- phases out
- arrests
- cuts off
- chocks
- flicks (off)
- draws up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- activates
- starts
- triggers
- moves
- actuates
- drives
- runs
- generates
- powers
- propels
- fuels
- pushes
- turns on
- sparks
- energizes
- fires
- switches
- charges
- launches
- releases
- trips
- cranks (up)
- touches off
- discharges
- sets off
- electrifies
- reactivates
- recharges