inactivates
Renders no longer functional
Inactivates means renders inactive or ineffective.
The term appears most often in scientific contexts—a chemical inactivates an enzyme, heat inactivates a virus, a mutation inactivates a gene.
The vaccine contains inactivated virus particles.
Outside technical usage, deactivates or disables are more common.
Removes effect or danger
- counteractsNeutralizes an opposing force
- nullifiesMakes of no effect
- negatesRenders null or invalid
- cancelsRevokes or nullifies
voids · annuls · invalidates · offsets · counterbalances · detoxifies · antidotes · reverses
Switches off functionality
- switches offCuts the power
- turns offDeactivates or repels
- disengagesSeparates from attachment
- disconnectsBreaks a connection
unplugs · powers down · shuts down · disarms · decommissions · dismantles · uninstalls · logs out
Renders inoperable
- impairsLessens effectiveness or strength
- cripplesSeverely impairs function
- paralyzesCauses total inability to move
- debilitatesSeverely reduces capacity
incapacitates · weakens · hampers · hinders · undermines · obstructs · sabotages · derails
neutralizes
Removes effect or danger
- counteractsNeutralizes an opposing force
- nullifiesMakes of no effect
- negatesRenders null or invalid
cancels · voids · annuls · invalidates · offsets · counterbalances · detoxifies · antidotes · reverses · undoes
deactivates
Switches off functionality
- switches offCuts the power
- turns offDeactivates or repels
- disengagesSeparates from attachment
disconnects · unplugs · powers down · shuts down · disarms · decommissions · dismantles · uninstalls · logs out · kills
disables
Renders inoperable
- impairsLessens effectiveness or strength
- cripplesSeverely impairs function
- paralyzesCauses total inability to move
debilitates · incapacitates · weakens · hampers · hinders · undermines · obstructs · sabotages · derails · sidelines
suppresses
Actively prevents expression
dampens · curbs · checks · quells · subdues · silences · represses · mutes · attenuates · moderates
suspends
Halts temporarily or hangs
- puts to sleepCauses unconsciousness or rest
- shelvesHorizontal storage platforms
- tablesFlat-topped furniture pieces
mothballs · benches · sidelines · pauses · freezes · arrests · halts · stalls · idles
inactivatesactivates
Causes to function
enables · turns on · switches on · reactivates · starts
inactivatesactivates
Causes to function
stimulates · potentiates · induces · catalyzes · promotes
inactivatesenables
Makes something possible
empowers · energizes · stimulates · catalyzes · potentiates