1. (v. t.) To put into action or motion; to incite to action; to activate; as, to actuate a crowd to rioting\; to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of persons.

2. (v. t.) To carry out in practice; to perform.

3. (a.) Put in action; actuated.

animate arouse circulate compel drive drive on energize excite force forward foster galvanize give an impetus give momentum goad impel incite mobilize motivate move move to action nudge power promote propel provoke push put in motion rouse set agoing set going set in motion set off shove spark stimulate stir thrust vitalize whip on