QUICKEN Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'quicken' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quicken are animate , enliven , and vivify . While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert. // the arrival of spring quickens the earth

Q: In what contexts can 'animate' take the place of 'quicken'?

The words animate and quicken can be used in similar contexts, but animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial. // happiness animated his conversation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'enliven' instead of 'quicken'?

Although the words enliven and quicken have much in common, enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity. // enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

Q: When could 'vivify' be used to replace 'quicken'?

The words vivify and quicken are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality. // new blood needed to vivify the dying club

quicken

verb

ˈkwi-kən

Definition of quicken next

as in to accelerate

to cause to move or proceed fast or faster she eventually quickened her pace so she could keep up with the others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stimulate

to give life, vigor, or spirit to the news that we'd head to Florida for Christmas quickened the children, who instantly began jumping for joy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quicken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quicken are animate, enliven, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

In what contexts can animate take the place of quicken?

The words animate and quicken can be used in similar contexts, but animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When is it sensible to use enliven instead of quicken?

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

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

When could vivify be used to replace quicken?

The words vivify and quicken are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 quicken That all changed with Google and has only quickened with the rapid rollout of AI. —

Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Your heart races, your breathing quickens, your muscles tense and stress hormones flood your body. —

Cheri Rainey, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 For weeks, the days darken—a quickening fade that suggests a coming show. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024 Amazingly, kintsugi is impossible to streamline or quicken. —

Maria Yagoda, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quicken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quicken

Verb

The investment helps to accelerate Mikuni’s goal of expanding to 50 locations by its 50th anniversary, Arai said in a news release announcing the deal.

— Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 14 Feb. 2025
The demonstration was organized by the service workers' union ver.di, with participants marching through the streets around 10:30 a.m. when the suspect's vehicle overtook a police escort, accelerated, and struck the crowd from behind, police said.

— Security & Defense Reporter Ellie Cook , reporting from Munich, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025