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• Classic-Fiction

actuate, crank, drive, move, propel, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger, turn on; also charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push

Antonyms

cut, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

ac·tive adjective 1 : causing or involving action or change

2 : asserting that the grammatical subject performs the action represented by the verb <~ voice>

3 : briskly alert and energetic : BRISK, LIVELY

4 : marked by vigorous activity : BUSY

5 : erupting or likely to erupt <~ volcano>

6 : presently in operation or use

7 : tending to progress or to cause degeneration <~ tuberculosis>

— active noun

— ac·tive·ly adverb

— ac·tive·ness noun

Synonyms

[3] animate, animated, brisk, energetic, lively, spirited, sprightly, springy—more at LIVELY

[4] assiduous, busy, diligent, engaged, laborious, occupied, sedulous, working—more at BUSY

[6] alive, functional, living, on, operational, operative, running, working; also effective, effectual

Antonyms

broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, nonfunctional

ac·tiv·ism noun : a doctrine or practice that emphasizes vigorous action for political ends

— ac·tiv·ist noun or adjective

ac·tiv·i·ty noun, plural -ties 1 : the quality or state of being active

2 : forceful or energetic action

3 : an occupation in which one is engaged

Synonyms

exercise, exertion—more at EXERCISE

ac·tor noun : a person who acts (as in a play, movie, or television show)

Synonyms

impersonator, mummer, player, trouper; also entertainer, performer

ac·tress noun : a woman who is an actor

Acts or Acts of the Apostles noun : a book of the New Testament of the Christian Scripture

ac·tu·al adjective : really existing : REAL

— ac·tu·al·iza·tion noun

— ac·tu·al·ize verb

Synonyms

concrete, existent, factual, real, true, very; also attested, authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, validated, verified

Antonyms

hypothetical, ideal, nonexistent, theoretical

ac·tu·al·i·ty noun : the quality or state of being actual

Synonyms

existence, reality, subsistence—more at EXISTENCE

accomplishment, achievement, attainment, consummation, fruition, fulfillment, realization—more at FRUITION

ac·tu·al·ly adverb 1 : in fact or in truth : REALLY

2 : in point of fact — used to suggest something unexpected

Synonyms

[1] forsooth, frankly, honestly, really, truly, truthfully, verily; also absolutely, certainly, indisputably, indubitably, positively, realistically, undoubtedly, unquestionably, veritably

[2] authentically, genuinely, really, veritably, very—more at VERY

ac·tu·ary noun, plural -ar·ies : a person who calculates insurance risks and premiums

— ac·tu·ar·i·al adjective

ac·tu·ate verb -at·ed; -at·ing 1 : to put into mechanical action

2 : to move to action

— ac·tu·a·tion noun

— ac·tu·a·tor noun

Synonyms

[1] activate, crank, drive, move, propel, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger, turn on—more at ACTIVATE

[2] drive, impel, move, propel, work

act up verb 1 a : to behave in an unruly, recalcitrant, or capricious manner : MISBEHAVE

b : to seek to attract attention by conspicuous behavior

2 : to function improperly

Synonyms

clown, cut up, fool, horse, monkey, show off, skylark—more at CUT UP

acu·ity noun, plural -ities : keenness of perception

acu·men noun : mental keenness and penetration

acu·pres·sure noun : the application of pressure (as with the thumbs or fingertips) to the same discrete points on the body stimulated in acupuncture that is used for its therapeutic effects (as the relief of tension or pain)

acu·punc·ture noun : an orig. Chinese practice of puncturing the body (as with needles) at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain

— acu·punc·tur·ist noun

acute adjective acut·er; acut·est [ORIGIN: ME, fr. L acutus, pp. of acuere to sharpen, fr. acus needle]

1 : SHARP, POINTED

2 : containing less than 90 degrees

3 : sharply perceptive; especially : mentally keen

4 a : characterized by sharpness or severity : SEVERE <~ distress>