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1. Causing motion or action or change
   "The aeroplane has Self-actuating flaps on the wings"
   - activating

1. Put in motion or move to act
   "actuate the circuits"
   - trip, trigger, activate, set off, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
    
2. Give an incentive for action
   "This actuated me to sacrifice my career"
   - motivate, propel, move, prompt, incite

See also: act, actuation, actuator, causative

Type of: cause, do, engender, initiate, make, pioneer

Encyclopedia: Actuate