Activate and Actuate

Activate

Activate verb - To cause to function.
Usage example: the thermostat is set to activate the heating system only when the temperature drops below 65 degrees

Actuate is a synonym for activate in action topic. In some cases you can use "Actuate" instead a verb "Activate", when it comes to topics like operate, start, induce, start a function. popular alternative

Actuate

Actuate verb - To cause to function.
Usage example: the alarm system actuates the door locks

Activate is a synonym for actuate in action topic. You can use "Activate" instead a verb "Actuate", if it concerns topics such as induce, motivate. rare substitute

Nearby Words: actuation, actuating, actuator

Common collocations

mechanism activate mechanism actuate mechanism
doors activate doors actuate doors
Cite this Source
Actuate and Activate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/actuate
Activate & Actuate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/actuate>.
Actuate or Activate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/actuate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "activate" and "actuate" have occurred on timeline