deactivate
verb (used with object)
to cause to be inactive; remove the effectiveness of.
deactivated
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past participleof deactivate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof deactivate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
deactivateverb (used with object)to cause to be inactive; remove the effectiveness of.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When the gene was deactivated in older worker bees, the insects began caring for the queen again.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
About 50 cities and counties have canceled Flock contracts or deactivated cameras since early last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
The lawsuit seeks a statewide judgment that Uber has failed to comply with Proposition 22, along with an opportunity for the thousands of deactivated drivers to appeal their terminations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
Meutya Hafid, the country's communications and digital affairs minister, announced that accounts for under 16s on "high risk" platforms would be deactivated from 28 March.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026
During the day, its many pods are deactivated, but at night it’s a minefield.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
