Meaning & use
deactivate
To make something, such as an account, device, or mechanism, stop functioning or being active.
See it in a sentence
She decided to deactivate her social media account after feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications.
Technicians deactivated the alarm system before beginning repairs on the front door.
A note on using this word
Deactivate usually implies a temporary or reversible pause, whereas delete or destroy suggests permanent removal.
Words with a similar meaning
disableswitch off
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
activateenable
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “deactivate”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.