deactivate

[dee-ak-tuh-veyt]

verb (used with object)

deactivated, deactivating 

1. to cause to be inactive; remove the effectiveness of.

2. to demobilize or disband (a military unit).

3. to render (a bomb, shell, or the like) inoperative, especially by disconnecting, removing, or otherwise interfering with the action of the fuze.

4. Chemistry.,  to render (a chemical, enzyme, catalyst, etc.) inactive.

verb (used without object)

deactivated, deactivating 

1. Physical Chemistry.,  to lose radioactivity.

deactivate

/ diːˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to make (a bomb, etc) harmless or inoperative

2. (intr) to become less radioactive

3. (tr) to end the active status of (a military unit)

4. chem to return or cause to return from an activated state to a normal or ground state

Other Word Forms

• deactivation noun
• deactivator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deactivate¹

First recorded in 1900–05; de- + activate

Example Sentences

One highlighted study, referred to internally as “Project Mercury,” allegedly showed that users who deactivated Facebook or Instagram for a week reported lower feelings of depression, loneliness and anxiety.

Read more on Salon

Digital room keys were deactivated, locking some customers out of their rooms with their belongings inside.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A Twitch spokesperson said Australians under 16 will not be able to open a Twitch account from 10 December, and from 9 January, existing under-16s accounts will be deactivated.

Read more on BBC

From 10 December, social media companies will have to take "reasonable steps" to ensure that under-16s in Australia cannot set up accounts on their platforms and that existing accounts are deactivated or removed.

Read more on BBC

It's not the first time the 30-year-old has clashed with fans online, having previously deactivated her Instagram account over negative messages.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• disband 
• shut off