Synonyms for actuate
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Impel — to incite to action; to motivate
impel, incite, induce, animate, drive, rouse, instigate, quicken, motivate, stir, push, prompt, propel, stimulate, urge, excite, goad, promote, provoke, affect, spark off, galvanize, galvanise UK
2. Trigger — to activate, or to put into motion; to animate
Definitions
- v. 1
To activate, or to put into motion; to animate.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
- v. 2
To incite to action; to motivate.
Forms
- Past participle
- actuated
e.g. actuated → impelled, incited, induced, animated…
Choose the right word
Actuate refers solely to mental or moral power impelling one from within. One may influence, but can not directly actuate another; but one may be actuated to cruelty by hatred which another's misrepresentation has aroused.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- push He tried with all his might to push the door open.
- induce Moderate exercise in the evening helps induce sleep.
- instigate Feminists instigate women against men.
By length
- 4 letters
- trip1, push1, urge1, stir1, goad1
- 5 letters
- drive1, spark1, rouse1, impel2
- 6 letters
- affect2, prompt1, induce2, excite2, propel2, incite2
- 7 letters
- promote2, trigger2, provoke2, animate3, quicken2
- 8 letters
- activate3, motivate3
- 9 letters
- stimulate3, instigate3, galvanize3, galvanise
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (impel2 = 2 syllables).