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Inactivate vs Deactivate - What's the difference?

inactivate | deactivate |

As verbs the difference between inactivate and deactivate

is that inactivate is to make inactive while deactivate is to make something inactive or no longer effective.

inactivate

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To make inactive.
  • References

    "'Computer inactivated, Crawford reported. 'I get nothing at all.'" - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, ''The Mote in God's Eye , 1974

    Anagrams

    *

    deactivate

    English

    Alternative forms

    * de-activate *

    Verb

    (deactivat)
  • (ergative) to make something inactive or no longer effective
  • to prevent the action of a biochemical agent (such as an enzyme)
  • to remove a person or piece of hardware from active military service
  • See also

    * activate English ergative verbs