inactivate

[in-ak-tuh-veyt] / ɪnˈæk təˌveɪt /

VERB

quiet

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allay appease assuage hush mollify muffle muzzle pacify please relax satisfy soften soothe squelch subdue

STRONG

ameliorate becalm choke compose console gag gratify ice lull moderate palliate quieten reconcile settle shush silence slack smooth soft pedal square squash still stroke tranquilize

WEAK

button one's lip calm down can it clam up cool it cool out dummy up fix up hold it down patch things up shut up take the bite out of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agitate anger annoy depress incite irritate provoke release trouble upset worry

STRONG

aggravate disagree disturb excite move

WEAK

turn up

VERB

suspend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

can check debar eliminate hang intermit omit pigeonhole procrastinate prorogue protract retard

WEAK

break up count out cut short hang fire hang up hold up lay aside lay off lay on the table lay over pink slip put a stop to put an end to put on back burner put on hold put on ice put on the shelf stave off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept add advance allow begin carry on carry out continue do encourage expedite forge forward go include keep on release

WEAK

complete finish persist sustain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile, Salk’s injectable vaccine, which used formalin to inactivate the virus, was approved in 1955.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

Another option is to heat milk to sub-pasteurization temperatures, which could inactivate the virus while maintaining the raw milk cheese characteristics valued by artisanal producers.

From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025

Pasteurization and proper cooking techniques inactivate the virus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

Pasteurization should also inactivate flu viruses, which are known to be fragile and heat-sensitive, experts said.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024

Extracts in which no attempt was made to inactivate the enzymes present proved unsatisfactory.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

inactivate

Example Sentences

Related Words