Definitions

switch on

[swich-on, -awn] / ˈswɪtʃˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

VERB

activate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

call up mobilize stimulate trigger turn on

STRONG

actuate arouse energize impel motivate move prompt propel rouse start stir

WEAK

actify set in motion take out of mothballs

Antonyms

STRONGEST

check end halt stop

STRONG

calm discourage dissuade

WEAK

arrest

VERB

energize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animate electrify empower excite invigorate motivate reinforce stimulate strengthen trigger

STRONG

arm enable enliven fortify goose innervate inspirit prime quicken sustain vitalize

WEAK

actify activize build up jazz up juice up liven up pep up pump up put zip into start up turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore calm deaden depress discourage dishearten dissuade dull weaken

STRONG

halt stop

WEAK

deactivate debilitate sap tire weary

VERB

engage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

join lock

STRONG

activate apply attach dovetail energize fasten interact interlace interlock mesh

WEAK

get going intermesh interplay

Antonyms

STRONG

detach disconnect disunite unfasten unlink

WEAK

banish break off break up cancel decline defuse discharge dismiss eject expel fire give up let go oust refuse reject release shun surrender yield

VERB

light

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brighten ignite kindle light up put on shine turn on

STRONG

animate cast fire flood floodlight highlight illume illumine inflame irradiate lighten limelight spot spotlight

WEAK

furnish with light make bright make visible

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dull extinguish put out turn off

WEAK

darken drench mount obscure

VERB

stir

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affect arouse energize galvanize inflame inspire kindle prompt provoke raise rouse spark spur touch trigger whip up

STRONG

abet actuate agitate animate awaken bestir challenge craze drive electrify excite foment impel motivate move quicken rally rile rout set spook thrill urge vitalize wake waken whet

WEAK

add fuel to fire feed the fire make waves psych roust stir embers stir up work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm depress discourage disenchant dissuade halt prevent stop

STRONG

bore dampen deaden dishearten dull hinder impede lull quiet repress retard slow tranquilize weaken

WEAK

laze leave alone rest wait

VERB

titillate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amuse entertain tantalize tease tickle

STRONG

arouse grab grapple hook interest palpate provoke thrill

WEAK

tickle pink turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore tire

STRONG

let go release

WEAK

disenchant repulse turn off

VERB

turn on

Synonyms

STRONGEST

activate log on put on

WEAK

begin energize get started ignite initiate introduce put in gear set in motion start up

Antonyms

WEAK

close end finish shut down turn off

VERB

vitalize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

enliven invigorate juice up stimulate

STRONG

animate arm electrify empower enable excite exhilarate fortify goose innervate inspirit motivate prime quicken reinforce strengthen sustain trigger

WEAK

actify activize build up jazz up liven up pep up pump up put zip into start up turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore depress dull enervate

STRONG

block deaden discourage dissuade halt hurt stop weaken

VERB

wake/waken

Synonyms

WEAK

activate animate arouse awaken challenge enliven fire fire up freshen galvanize grasp jazz up key up kindle notice pep up provoke quicken rally renew rouse see steam up stir up understand whet zip up

Antonyms

WEAK

discourage dissuade nap sleep

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The real shock comes when you try to turn the light switch on and nothing happens.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine—When Elon Musk flipped the off switch on Russian forces’ Starlink internet connections in February, Ukraine’s military went on the offensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Instead of lowering temperature, they investigated whether diet alone could switch on thermogenesis.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

"I'm not making any excuses, but when we first got here, we didn't have time to turn the light switch on," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

This was when I normally switch on my radio to listen to the shipping forecast.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

switch on

Example Sentences

Related Words