Synonyms and antonyms of To make a machine or piece of equipment work in American Thesaurus

activate (verb)

to make a piece of equipment or a process start working

actuate (verb)

formal to make a machine or piece of equipment start working

coax (verb)

to make something such as a machine or piece of equipment do what you want it to do by being skillful, gentle, and patient

control (verb)

to make a machine, system, vehicle, etc. move or operate in the way that you want it to

crank (verb)

to start an engine or machine by turning a crank

eject (verb)

to make something come out from a machine, for example a DVD from a DVD player or a CD from a computer

energize (verb)

to make electricity or another form of power flow into a machine

engage (verb)

if a part of a machine engages, or if you engage it, it fits into another part so that they work together

flash (verb)

to switch a bright light on, or on and off, especially as a signal

flick (verb)

to move a switch in order to turn something such as a light or machine on or off

flip a switch ()

to switch a light, machine, etc. on or off

flip on ()

to switch on a light, machine, etc.

focus (verb)

to turn a part on a camera, telescope, microscope, etc. until you can see something clearly

grease (verb)

to put grease on something to make it work smoothly

have on ()

if you have the radio, television, heating, etc. on, you have switched it on and it is working

hit (verb)

spoken to press something such as a switch on a machine, vehicle, or computer in order to make it do something

lubricate (verb)

to put oil on the parts of a machine that move to make them move more smoothly

man (verb)

to provide a place, machine, or system with the people needed to operate it. Some people avoid using this word because they think it is offensive to women, and they use staff or crew instead

operate (verb)

to use and control a piece of equipment

play (verb)

to make something such as a radio, CD, etc. start to produce sounds, or to be made to do this

power (verb)

to give a machine or vehicle power

press (verb)

to push something such as a button or switch in order to make a piece of equipment start working

pull (verb)

to move a handle that controls a machine so that the machine works

put on ()

to make a machine or piece of equipment start working, especially by pressing a switch

put on ()

to put a video, CD, etc. in a piece of equipment so that you can watch it or listen to it

reset (verb)

to press a special button or to make changes so that a machine will work again or work in a different way

run (verb)

if a machine or engine runs, or if you run it, it is working

start (verb)

to switch on a machine or engine, especially a motor vehicle

start up ()

to switch on a machine or engine, especially a motor vehicle

switch on ()

if you switch on something such as a light or a machine, or if it switches on, you make it start working

test (verb)

to try using something such as a machine or a product to find out whether it works correctly or is satisfactory

throw (verb)

if you throw a switch, handle, etc., you move it up or down, for example in order to start or stop a machine

trigger (verb)

to make a machine or piece of equipment start to work

trip (verb)

to make a switch go on or off, especially by accident

turn down ()

to reduce the amount of sound, heat, or light produced by a piece of equipment by pressing a button or moving a switch

turn on ()

to make a piece of equipment start working by pressing a button or moving a switch

turn on ()

to start using a supply of water, gas, or electricity by turning a faucet, pressing a button, or moving a switch

turn up ()

to increase the amount of sound, heat, or light produced by a piece of equipment by pressing a button or moving a switch

twiddle (verb)

to turn a switch on a piece of equipment or a machine

use (verb)

to do something using a machine, tool, skill, method, etc. in order to do a job or to achieve a result

warm up ()

if you warm up a machine or an engine, you turn it on and wait for a little while until it is ready to be used

work (verb)

to operate something such as a machine or piece of equipment