actuate
verb
ac·tu·ate ˈak-chə-ˌwāt 
-shə-
actuated; actuating
transitive verb
1
: to put into mechanical action or motion
The pump is actuated by the windmill.
2
: to move to action
a decision actuated by greed
actuation
ˌak-chə-ˈwā-shən
noun -shə-
Synonyms
- activate
- crank (up)
- drive
- move
- run
- set off
- spark
- start
- touch off
- trigger
- turn on
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The pump is actuated by the windmill. a light actuated by a motion detector
Recent Examples on the Web As the collective voice for many different businesses and institutions, the Outdoor Industry Association is the most likely professional group to actuate efforts to encourage DEI nationwide. 
James Edward Mills, Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2019 Typical mechanical switches actuate when two pieces of metal make contact. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 21 June 2022 Compared to a full-size Cherry MX Brown switch (4 mm / 2 mm / 55 g), the MX Keys Mechanical's brown switches felt quicker to actuate and return, likely due to the shorter travel. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 24 May 2022 Optical mechanical switches actuate based on whether or not the switch's stem is passing through a light beam in the switch's housing. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 28 Mar. 2022 For comparison, Cherry's most common tactile mechanical switches (MX Browns) have the same specs but actuate at 2 mm with more force, 55 g. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2022 The keyboard has reed switches, which use magnets to actuate. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 3 Dec. 2021 In a side-by-side comparison with Cherry MX Browns, the G413 SE's switches felt lighter to actuate with a less prominent bump that was easier to press through. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2022 According to the full-size SE keyboard's product page, the switches actuate at 1.9 mm with 50 g of force and bottom out at 4 mm. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 25 Jan. 2022 See More
James Edward Mills, Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2019 Typical mechanical switches actuate when two pieces of metal make contact. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 21 June 2022 Compared to a full-size Cherry MX Brown switch (4 mm / 2 mm / 55 g), the MX Keys Mechanical's brown switches felt quicker to actuate and return, likely due to the shorter travel. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 24 May 2022 Optical mechanical switches actuate based on whether or not the switch's stem is passing through a light beam in the switch's housing. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 28 Mar. 2022 For comparison, Cherry's most common tactile mechanical switches (MX Browns) have the same specs but actuate at 2 mm with more force, 55 g. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2022 The keyboard has reed switches, which use magnets to actuate. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 3 Dec. 2021 In a side-by-side comparison with Cherry MX Browns, the G413 SE's switches felt lighter to actuate with a less prominent bump that was easier to press through. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2022 According to the full-size SE keyboard's product page, the switches actuate at 1.9 mm with 50 g of force and bottom out at 4 mm. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 25 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuātus, past participle of āctuāre "to actualize," verbal derivative of Latin āctus act entry 1
First Known Use
1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1
actuates
verb
1
as in activates
to cause to function a light actuated by a motion detector the alarm system actuates the door locks Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- activates
- triggers
- sparks
- drives
- generates
- moves
- powers
- fuels
- starts
- ignites
- provokes
- pushes
- sets off
- turns on
- runs
- electrifies
- energizes
- touches off
- switches
- stimulates
- fires
- launches
- charges
- reactivates
- cranks (up)
- releases
- vitalizes
- turns over
- arouses
- excites
- incites
- accelerates
- discharges
- instigates
- quickens
- kicks over
- recharges
- catalyzes
- trips
- stirs up
- kick-starts
- jump-starts
- steps up
- speeds (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deactivates
- kills
- stops
- brakes
- cuts
- turns off
- halts
- checks
- arrests
- sticks
- suppresses
- stalls
- jams
- slows
- represses
- decelerates
- shuts off
- cuts out
- draws up
- cuts off
- stunts
2
as in drives
to set or keep in motion hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear Synonyms & Similar Words
- activates
- drives
- moves
- propels
- impels
- works
- stimulates
- triggers
- motivates
- provokes
- raises
- incites
- foments
- ferments
- abets
- rouses
- instigates
- galvanizes
- excites
- inspires
- arouses
- sets off
- inflames
- trips
- stirs (up)
- whips (up)
- enflames
- fires (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- regulates
- contains
- controls
- inhibits
- restrains
- constrains
- checks
- reins (in)
- curbs
- bridles
- pre-fire
- pre-flame
- pre-format
- pre-formatted
- pre-formatting
- pre-formulate
- pre-formulated
- pre-formulating
- pre-freshman
- pre-freshmen
- pre-frozen
- pre-genital
- pre-harvest
- pre-headache
- pre-Hellenic
- pre-hire
- pre-hiring
- pre-Hispanic
- pre-holiday
- pre-Homeric
- pre-inaugural
- pre-Inca
- pre-Incan
- pre-incorporation
- pre-induction