inactivate

[in-ak-tuh-veyt]

verb (used with object)

inactivated, inactivating 

1. to make inactive.

   The bomb was inactivated.

2. Immunology.,  to stop the activity of (certain biological substances).

inactivate

/ ɪnˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to render inactive

Other Word Forms

• inactivation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inactivate¹

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

Example Sentences

With such vaccines, called whole-virus vaccines, a person’s immune system is presented with the whole virus, often in weakened or inactivated form.

From Salon

However, Prof Pollard says the mRNA vaccines performed better than the inactivated ones when tackling Covid.

From BBC

While some vaccines use an inactivated virus to trigger an immune response, mRNA vaccines work by teaching cells how to make proteins that can trigger an immune response.

From BBC

“However, the NC State Board of Elections’ plan to inactivate eligible voters and force them to cast uncertain provisional ballots risks disenfranchising these voters and violates federal law.”

From Salon

Their vaccine is made by inactivating influenza viruses with a carcinogenic chemical called beta-propiolactone.

From Salon

Related Words

• adjourn 
• arrest 
• bar 
• cease 
• defer 
• discontinue 
• eject 
• exclude 
• file 
• halt 
• interrupt 
• postpone 
• put off 
• reject 
• rule out 
• shelve 
• stay 
• waive 
• withhold