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
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
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
Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
The German election is animated by concerns over a stagnant economy, a decade-long surge of immigration, high energy prices and tenuous national security, with Russia waging war to the east and President Trump threatening to upend NATO from the West.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024
The same themes animate Cusk’s nonfiction from this period.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for animate
Verb
Four of the top 10 are animated films and not an Oscar nominee is among them.
—Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
The German election is animated by concerns over a stagnant economy, a decade-long surge of immigration, high energy prices and tenuous national security, with Russia waging war to the east and President Trump threatening to upend NATO from the West.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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
The same themes animate Cusk’s nonfiction from this period.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for animate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate
Verb
-
The other key plot point is Farrah’s use of stroboscopic light therapy to stimulate brain activity and neural responses.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Avoid stimulating activities before bedtime, and there should be no exposure to electronic devices emitting blue light.—
Arielle Tschinkel,
Parents,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
For both the animated and live-action cinematic work, the storyboards can help the film team understand how to shoot the scenes, anticipate possible difficulties, and facilitate the actors in understanding their characters and the special settings.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The Oscar nominee walked the runway with dramatic, out-to-there lashes that would feel right at home on an animated heroine or villain.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Riverdale In Riverdale, outside Village Hall, there was a lively scene Tuesday afternoon as members of Michael Airhart’s mayoral campaign were ordered to remove their campaign signs from a median.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Around the room’s standing tables and plush, blush-pink lounge seats, friends, castmates, and both new and familiar faces engaged in lively conversation.—
Jamila Stewart,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Phase 2 talks are meant to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza who are alive, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory.—
Mohammad Jahjouh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Three of the officers have since died but two are still alive.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While the brand is only five years old, Florentina has been quite energetic in putting out 15 collections.—
Ugonnaora Owoh,
Essence,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the longer, bigger flares may occur due to magnetic reconnection events, or when two different magnetic fields collide near the black hole and release energetic particles moving near the speed of light.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
As well as being the most active stratovolcano in the world, Mount Etna is also Europe’s highest volcano, at about 3,350 meters (almost 11,000 feet) tall.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The community at the movie’s center is made up of politically active individuals from a vast range of experience, so much of its footage (shot in 2020) concerns protests against police brutality, and other conversations on acceptance.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share