Synonyms

inactivate

American

[in-ak-tuh-veyt] / ɪnˈæk təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

inactivated, inactivating

to make inactive.

The bomb was inactivated.
Immunology. to stop the activity of (certain biological substances).

inactivate British

/ ɪnˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

(tr) to render inactive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

inactivation noun

Etymology

Origin of inactivate

First recorded in 1905–10; inactive + -ate ¹

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.

Another option is to heat milk to sub-pasteurization temperatures, which could inactivate the virus while maintaining the raw milk cheese characteristics valued by artisanal producers.

From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025

Pasteurization and proper cooking techniques inactivate the virus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

“The decision to inactivate comes after concerns about clinical processes and documentation were identified,” the hospital said in a statement.

From New York Times • Apr. 29, 2024

These practices will kill most bacteria and inactivate any heat-sensitive bacterial toxins that are present.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2024

Extracts in which no attempt was made to inactivate the enzymes present proved unsatisfactory.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023