Activate and Start

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

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

Start

Start verb - To cause to function.
Usage example: trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Activate is a synonym for start in establish topic. You can use "Activate" instead a verb "Start", if it concerns topics such as begin, start up.

Common collocations

mode activate mode start mode
attack activate attack start attack
series activate series start series
plan activate plan start plan
Other words: times.

Both words in one sentence

  • The 3rd film note and the beginning of the post-Cameron canon that was intended to end with Terminator 2 has Skynet activate and start Judgement Day later than originally fated but the message is it will still happen nonetheless.
    Source: Lost Aesop
  • Perilous Power Source During Outlaw Star the ship's computer, Gilliam, helps the new crew activate the XGP's engines during start up.
  • Should you activate the Mega Scuttler bomb (voiced by John Cleese), it will start to count down from one thousand.
    Source: Always Close
Cite this Source
Start and Activate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/start
Activate & Start. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/start>.
Start or Activate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/activate/start.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "activate" and "start" have occurred on timeline