ANIMATE Synonyms: 268 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

animate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-nə-ˌmāt

Definition of animate next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

animate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-mət

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

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

Examples 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

That setup is what makes this year’s breakout anime series Dan Da Dan such a hit, as well as a witch’s brew of other genre inspirations and warmly familiar tropes that coalesce into one of 2024’s most entertaining series, animated or otherwise. —

Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024 With fighting largely confined to battlefields, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces are dug in, the issues that animate the debate in Gaza have not been in the foreground. —

Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

Adjective

While plugged in and charging but not in use, the LEDs animate with a red sweeping motion every few seconds. —

Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024 Viewers learned through that film's post-credits scene (in which Art's first final girl, Victoria, gives birth to his animate head in her padded sanitarium cell) and throughout Terrifier 3 that Art is definitively not of this world, and seemingly indestructible. —

EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for animate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate

Verb

Lower interest rates typically stimulate economic activity, drive up corporate profits and lift the value of forward-looking assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
Editor’s tip: The formula’s camellia sinensis leaf extract (green tea extract) also stimulates hair follicles, combats oxidative stress, and makes brows less prone to breakage.

Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024