inactivate
verb
in·ac·ti·vate (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt 
inactivated; inactivating; inactivates
transitive verb
: to make inactive
chemicals to inactivate viruses
inactivation
(ˌ)i-ˌnak-tə-ˈvā-shən
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Antibodies are proteins that bind to virus particles to inactivate them. 
Dr. Genevieve Yang, ABC News, 3 June 2022 Currently, state election officials make checks daily — but not purges — to inactivate such voters. Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022 Unlike scientists in a lab, the human body in attack mode isn’t trying to inactivate viruses just so. NBC News, 30 Jan. 2022 The drug, called ensovibep, is an antiviral medicine designed specifically to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, with extremely high potency and no known off-target effects. News Service Of Florida, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Jan. 2022 In a laboratory, one study published in the Journal of Medical Virology suggested that certain mouthwashes can inactivate human coronaviruses. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021 The relatively limited research related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, shows that similar ultraviolet dosages can inactivate it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2021 The technology fits in the buses' existing HVAC systems, using an air filter and UVC light — the shortest wavelength, highest energy form of ultraviolet radiation — to inactivate pathogens. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2021 In April, Global Plasma Solutions said further tests show its devices inactivate Covid in the air and on surfaces in larger chambers. Lauren Weber And Christina Jewett, CNN, 3 May 2021 See More
Dr. Genevieve Yang, ABC News, 3 June 2022 Currently, state election officials make checks daily — but not purges — to inactivate such voters. Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022 Unlike scientists in a lab, the human body in attack mode isn’t trying to inactivate viruses just so. NBC News, 30 Jan. 2022 The drug, called ensovibep, is an antiviral medicine designed specifically to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, with extremely high potency and no known off-target effects. News Service Of Florida, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Jan. 2022 In a laboratory, one study published in the Journal of Medical Virology suggested that certain mouthwashes can inactivate human coronaviruses. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021 The relatively limited research related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, shows that similar ultraviolet dosages can inactivate it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2021 The technology fits in the buses' existing HVAC systems, using an air filter and UVC light — the shortest wavelength, highest energy form of ultraviolet radiation — to inactivate pathogens. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2021 In April, Global Plasma Solutions said further tests show its devices inactivate Covid in the air and on surfaces in larger chambers. Lauren Weber And Christina Jewett, CNN, 3 May 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1906, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
inactivate
transitive verb
in·ac·ti·vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
inactivated; inactivating
: to make inactive: as
a
: to destroy certain biological activities of
inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat
b
: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity
inactivate bacteria
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