deactivated

USAGE SUMMARY

"deactivated" is an acceptable word in written English.
It is usually used to describe the turning off or disabling of something, such as a power source, computer program, or account. For example, "She deactivated her Facebook account after her pictures were hacked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I deactivated my account after a few days and have subsequently deleted it.

The Guardian - Tech

Dwyer has been deactivated from all team activities.

The Guardian - Sport

Samsung said the ability to control the TV using voice commands can be activated or deactivated by the user and that the Smart TV displayed when it is actively listening.

The Guardian - Tech

Police even deactivated a car bomb in the centre of Bogotá, the capital, early that morning.But no one was prepared for the bomb aimed at Fernando Londoño, a conservative politician and commentator, that went off that day in a busy commercial area of the city, leaving two dead and dozens injured.

The Economist

Workers who quit are sometimes escorted out by security guards, their smartphones confiscated and their e-mail accounts deactivated.

The Economist

In particular, genes can be deactivated more or less permanently by tagging either the genes themselves or the histone proteins around which they are coiled with a range of chemical suppressors.The study of this type of regulation is called epigenetics.

The Economist

First, Flight 370 was already using such a system, ACARS, and it appears to have been deactivated by someone in the cockpit.

The Economist

Japan faces a severe shortage of power over the peak summer period without its nuclear reactors, all 54 of which were deactivated after the Fukushima disaster last year.

The Economist

But such firms state clearly that their contract is not legally binding in two regards: a judge or executor might compel them to release information to people other than those specific by the owner, and the passwords may be useless if they relate to an account that has been separately deactivated or shut down.All this can be maddening for those dealing with grief.

The Economist

It should be implemented immediately.Second, MH370 "went dark" about 40 minutes after takeoff because two communications systems were mysteriously deactivated: the secondary radar (which identifies the aircraft, among other data, to radar screens) and ACARS, a system for sending status updates and messages.

The Economist

It would oblige smartphone operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to install filters to block "adult content"; users could have the filters deactivated if they contacted their ISPs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deactivated" when you want to clearly indicate that something has been intentionally made inactive or disabled. For instance, "The security system was deactivated before the building was demolished."

Common error

Avoid using "deactivated" when you mean to say something has been permanently removed or erased. Deactivating something implies it can be reactivated later. For example, a social media account can be deactivated temporarily, but deleting it means it's gone for good.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deactivated" is as the past participle of the verb "deactivate". It is used to describe something that has been made inactive or disabled. Ludwig confirms the acceptability of this word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deactivated" is the past participle of the verb 'deactivate', commonly used to indicate that something has been intentionally made inactive or disabled. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts with a neutral tone. While similar to words like "disabled" and "shut down", it distinctly implies the possibility of reactivation. When writing, be sure not to confuse "deactivated" with "deleted", as deactivation is typically reversible. Alternatives include "rendered inactive" or "made inoperative". Ensure your choice aligns with the intended reversibility and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rendered inactive

Focuses on the resulting state of being not active.

Made inoperative

Highlights the functional aspect of being unable to operate.

Switched off

Emphasizes the action of turning something off, especially electrical devices.

Put out of action

Conveys the idea of something being deliberately stopped from functioning.

Taken offline

Specifically used for digital or network-related contexts.

Shut down

Implies a complete cessation of operation.

Stopped working

A more general description of ceasing functionality.

Brought to a standstill

Emphasizes a complete halt in activity or progress.

Put to sleep

A gentler way of saying something has been deactivated, often used metaphorically.

Neutralized

Implies rendering something harmless or ineffective.

FAQs

How to use "deactivated" in a sentence?

You can use "deactivated" to describe something that has been made inactive or disabled, like "The alarm system was "deactivated" to allow access to the building".

What's the difference between "deactivated" and "disabled"?

"Deactivated" typically implies a deliberate action to make something inactive, while "disabled" can also refer to something that is unable to function due to damage or malfunction.

What can I say instead of "deactivated"?

You can use alternatives like "rendered inactive", "made inoperative", or "switched off" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the account is deactivated"?

Yes, "the account is "deactivated"" is correct. It means the account has been temporarily disabled but can be reactivated later.