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animate

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adjective

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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

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
In the live-action, the dwarfs are magical creatures animated with CGI. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 For the clip, shared to Hewitt's Stories, the model began by filming a 13-inch television, which had a retro episode of the Nickelodeon animated hit Rugrats playing on its VCR. Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
While different religions and ancient cultures had described the planet as animate for eons, Lovelock’s contemporaries in the scientific community were more apt to shun this notion, preferring a Darwinian stance that species adapted to their environments, but not vice versa. Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024 Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for animate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate
Verb
  • Greece started its golden visa program in 2013 to stabilize housing prices and stimulate growth in a country facing a recession, skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures imposed by international lenders.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The importance of daylight The infrared light found in daylight can modulate inflammation, stimulate collagen production, prevent neurodegeneration, and even optimize mitochondria, which produce energy inside our cells.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Katt also lent his voice to the animated The Get Along Gang in the mid-1980s, and in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • In the brief animated video graphic shared to Perry’s Instagram, the expedition’s logo comes into frame, against a starry sky.
    Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • To introduce persimmon in a balanced way, Bassford recommends incorporating the color into decorative touches like wallpaper, upholstery, or bedding for a lively yet harmonious effect.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As Donatella Versace prepares to step into her new role as Global Ambassador, there is hope that the Prada Group will honor and preserve the brand’s familial legacy, keeping the spirit of the Versace family alive at its core.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of them presumed to be alive, including one American. Since March 18, the IDF has again increased its presence in Gaza, targeting areas across the strip and issuing evacuation orders.
    Kerem Inal, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This was a fantastic week in Paris — energetic and full of strong debuts.
    Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
  • He's been a warrior, always bouncing back to his energetic self.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett was the most active quarterback on the day, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 6-for-10 throwing performance.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The 1880s were the most active decade for U.S. hurricane landfalls on record.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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