Synonym Chooser

How does the verb actuate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When could drive be used to replace actuate?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Where would impel be a reasonable alternative to actuate?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use move instead of actuate?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of actuate And a story was planted that Nazi Germany actuated the Katyn Massacre in 1940. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024 The cascading dominoes can also be lightweight, flexible, and actuated by a variety of soft actuators (for example, shape memory alloys, inflatable actuators, bending actuators, etc.), whereas conveyor systems are operated by electric motors. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023 When in alarm mode, the slide must be actuated again to wind the alarm, changing the bell from red to white. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023 Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for actuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuate
Verb
  • Mars and Pluto activate your Leo-Aquarius axis on April 26, stirring questions about career, leadership, and emotional safety.
    Colin Bedell, Them., 18 Apr. 2025
  • According to the statement, one NFI and one WFI were activated on April 14, and the other two NFIs were activated on April 16.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Our reporters talk to each other and move around candidates from one category to another.
    Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.
    Time, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But yeah, maybe she’s been a vegetarian this whole time and the proteins triggered something!
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • China and the European Union announced new trade barriers on Wednesday in direct response to President Donald Trump's steep tariffs, which, according to Reuters, have triggered a global trade war and bolstered the likelihood of a recession.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The disruption impacted global supply chains, driving up shipping costs and delivery times.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities allege, per the AP, that White drove up next to Noble and got out of his car with a gun in his hand, prompting Noble to get out of his car and run away.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The shooting has sparked outrage in the eastern Idaho city after video footage circulated on social media, and showed four officers opening fire on Victor behind a fence.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That turnover sparked a counterattack, allowing Rogers to squeeze out a chance with an xG of 0.35 at the back post — where the absent Mendes should have been.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The village of Round Lake appears to have a new mayor-elect, with controversy over two local projects helping propel Trustee Brian Brubaker to an overwhelming 60-point victory over incumbent Russell Kraly, according to unofficial results.
    Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Secondly, the mortgage lock-in effect is now beginning to ease, which is propelling a massive backlog of new listings to the market.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That may be enough to power a standard laptop, but not enough to play video games with a powerful GPU.
    Benjamin Roulston, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Last month, Vodafone demoed the technology by using the BlueBird satellites to power a video call from a remote region in Wales that lacked traditional cell coverage.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There simply was not an apparent burning platform to compel leadership to alter course—or to impel stakeholders to align on a new vision for the future.
    Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Creating Equitable Opportunities For Learners Everywhere The intersection of technology and education is one of the most compelling areas to impel social and economic development.
    Haroldo Jacobovicz, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Actuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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