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Glite Dictionary
deactivator

deactivator

1 5.8
A thing, person, or substance that stops a machine working
  • noun
  • /diˈæktɪˌveɪtər/
translation icon : desactivador
  • Deactivators are all shut down on the left side.

Examples

  • The engineer installed a deactivator to ensure the machine would stop working during maintenance.

  • In the laboratory, researchers used a special deactivator to render the chemical reaction inactive.

  • The security system included a deactivator that disabled alarms when the system was reset.

Synonyms

disruptor
vsdeactivator
  • Specialized
19 7.2

A device that stops another machine or system from working

aims to make something inactive rather than just interfere with operation
interrupter
vsdeactivator
1 4.0

A person or thing that stops the normal flow of activity

halts operation completely rather than only pausing flow or continuity
disabler
vsdeactivator
1 7.1

A person, device, or program that stops something from working

makes something inactive or stops it from working more generally
neutralizer
vsdeactivator
  • US
1 6.0

A person, tool, or plan that stops a threat

focuses on making things inactive broadly, not only opponents or threats
quencher
vsdeactivator
  • Specialized
7.9

A substance added to stop a chemical reaction or reduce unwanted glow

covers any agent that makes things inactive, not only chemical processes
arrester
vsdeactivator
  • Specialized
6.5

A device that stops movement or limits flow in machines and electrical systems

is broader, making things inactive or stopping function rather than only motion
arrestor
vsdeactivator
  • Specialized
6.1

A device that stops or slows moving parts to keep people safe

focuses on making devices inactive rather than only limiting movement or flow

Antonyms

activator
1 5.1

A thing that starts or speeds a process

How Effective

deactivator
1 5.8
disabler
1 7.1
neutralizer
  • Specialized
1 5.5
blocker
  • Specialized
19 6.0
stopper
9 5.3

Surface Forms

deactivator singular
deactivators plural

Morphology

deactivator = deactivate (transparent) = de + activ + ate + or

Adding the agent or instrument suffix '-or' to 'deactivate' gives the clear meaning 'one who or that which deactivates'.

Etymology

The word deactivator breaks into de- ('remove' or 'not') and activate ('to make active'), and you can see the same root in the simple words active and action. So a deactivator is something or someone that 'removes activity' or turns something off.