Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb actuate

2 senses of actuate

Sense 1
trip, actuate, trigger, activate, set off, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off -- (put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits")
       => initiate, pioneer -- (take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants")

Sense 2
motivate, actuate, propel, move, prompt, incite -- (give an incentive for action; "This moved me to sacrifice my career")
       => cause, do, make -- (give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir"; "cause an accident")