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Some common synonyms of animate<\/em> are enliven<\/em><\/a>, quicken<\/em><\/a>, and vivify<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to make alive or lively,\" animate<\/em> emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.<\/p>

\/\/ happiness animated<\/em> his conversation<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'enliven' be a good substitute for 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words enliven<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> have much in common, enliven<\/em> suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.<\/p>

\/\/ enlivened<\/em> her lectures with humorous anecdotes<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'quicken' take the place of 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words quicken<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken<\/em> stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.<\/p>

\/\/ the arrival of spring quickens<\/em> the earth<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'vivify' a more appropriate choice than 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms vivify<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> are close in meaning, vivify<\/em> implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.<\/p>

\/\/ new blood needed to vivify<\/em> the dying club<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'animate' distinct from other similar verbs?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of animate<\/em> are enliven<\/em><\/a>, quicken<\/em><\/a>, and vivify<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to make alive or lively,\" animate<\/em> emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.<\/p>

\/\/ happiness animated<\/em> his conversation<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'enliven' be a good substitute for 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words enliven<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> have much in common, enliven<\/em> suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.<\/p>

\/\/ enlivened<\/em> her lectures with humorous anecdotes<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'quicken' take the place of 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words quicken<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken<\/em> stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.<\/p>

\/\/ the arrival of spring quickens<\/em> the earth<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'vivify' a more appropriate choice than 'animate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms vivify<\/em><\/a> and animate<\/em> are close in meaning, vivify<\/em> implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.<\/p>

\/\/ new blood needed to vivify<\/em> the dying club<\/p>" } } ] }

animate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-nÉ™-ËŒmāt How to pronounce animate (audio)
Definition of animatenext
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to Mr. Clark animates history for his sixth graders by frequently showing up for class dressed like some famous historical figure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

animate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nÉ™-mÉ™t How to pronounce animate (audio)
1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement an animate dance routine that will really get the blood pumping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breathing
having or showing life had a dream about a sandwich that becomes animate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word animate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of animate are enliven, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When would enliven be a good substitute for animate?

Although the words enliven and animate have much in common, enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can quicken take the place of animate?

The words quicken and animate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

When is vivify a more appropriate choice than animate?

While the synonyms vivify and animate are close in meaning, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

How is the word animate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of animate are enliven, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When would enliven be a good substitute for animate?

Although the words enliven and animate have much in common, enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can quicken take the place of animate?

The words quicken and animate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

When is vivify a more appropriate choice than animate?

While the synonyms vivify and animate are close in meaning, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of animate
Verb
The sprawling battle for the Senate is even animating low-key Democrats, like Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin, who see this as a critical moment to support candidates who can win general elections in red and purple states. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026 The mustache required fewer pixels to animate than a mouth, and the overalls helped clearly define Mario’s movements. —Alexander Kaplan, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
From lanterns several stories tall and hundreds of feet long to interactive exhibits that animate and breathe fire (in the form of smoke, Lewis clarifies), the festival evokes a deep sense of awe. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2025 Political violence in the late summer and early fall, along with a government shutdown that began Oct. 1 also appeared to animate voters in the final days of the campaign. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate
  1. stimulate
  2. animated
  3. lively
  4. alive
  5. energetic
  6. active
Verb
  • Third, according to Foligain, scientific research has shown that minoxidil can stimulate follicle activity at the cellular level.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • These vibrations resonate within the sinus cavities, stimulating the surrounding tissues and encouraging natural mucus drainage.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of stimulate
Adjective
  • The popularity of the cards led to the creation of a toy line, which then spurred animated TV specials and, eventually, a TV series.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The animated film about a teenager who becomes a beaver to save her animal friends from a freeway construction project pulled in $88 million globally, including $46 million in North America.
    — G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Although Brixx operates a mix of corporate and franchised locations, its takeover of that space would make the lakefront livelier by putting patrons on the patio at night.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • When their transport convoy is ambushed, the two are forced to run while being shackled to each other and need to work together to reach their destination alive and on time.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Yellon and Sorley traded memories and stories — the 2008 opener, featuring Kosuke Fukudome’s tying three-run home run in the ninth inning, still resonated with both — while the neighborhood came more and more alive with each passing minute.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of alive
Adjective
  • The energetic patrons witnessed a workman-like effort.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
  • But this was another contest that illustrated the growing familiarity with the manager’s system, as Kostas Mavropanos shone in the middle of a combative back three, while Mateus Fernandes brought defensive tenacity behind an energetic front three.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Authorities said the investigation remains active, and detectives are continuing efforts to determine whether additional suspects may be involved.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Cooling is handled by an active fan and a vapor chamber.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of active

Browse Nearby Words

animal spirits
animate
animated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of animate for Spanish Speakers

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