active

adjective

ˈak-tiv How to pronounce active (audio)
Definition of activenext
1
as in operating
being in effective operation the abandoned factory had not been active for years

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement the fish are active today, but we still haven't caught anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in engaged
involved in often constant activity all morning the crowd at the coffeehouse kept Marion and her helper pretty active

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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 active In 2025, 35% of the 42 million active film camera users worldwide were reported to be between the ages of 18 and 30. — Rotem Rozental, Fortune, 14 July 2026 There were three active fires in BWCAW, and 17 blazes altogether in the Superior National Forest as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Forest Service. — Alexandra Fine, ABC News, 14 July 2026 Daylight Saving Time, during which the sun appears to rise and set an hour later, is intended to better align the times when people are most active with the daylight. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 14 July 2026 Browning remained active in Nocturnus AD up until his death, releasing Paradox in 2019 and Unicursal in 2024. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for active
Recent Examples of Synonyms for active
  1. operating
  2. energetic
  3. engaged
  4. operational
  5. lively
  6. diligent
  7. operative
  8. animated
Adjective
  • True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
  • Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
    — Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of operating
Adjective
  • Even small toe-taps or a light head bob accompanies the least energetic.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Adrian, creative and energetic from childhood on—and raised in the presence of movie cameras—became a filmmaker himself, fusing a passion for extreme skiing with his cinematic sensibility.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • The six-reservation threshold is low enough to feel attainable, but high enough to identify diners who are more engaged than the casual user.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • In the public unveiling, the interceptor detected and engaged target drones in real time.
    — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
Definition of engaged
Adjective
  • Significant challenges persist in areas like China and digital sales, demanding sustainable operational improvements.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The study proposes 12 strategies to strengthen the ecosystem, including expanding funding tools, improving tax incentives, supporting distribution and promotion, and recognizing the operational costs needed to build resilient production companies.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of operational
Adjective
  • Set the scene Morea House’s contemporary, angular facade faces right out onto the beach from where the lively V&A Waterfront is a 20-minute drive north, with Sea Point, another popular stretch of seafront, just 11 minutes away by car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Known for its sprawling waterfront cottages and lively social scene, Muskoka sets the stage as relationships, careers, and personal lives collide.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • On a team where the diligent workers quietly carry the load for the rest, volunteering a time-saving discovery is volunteering to carry even more work.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Thoroughly washing and cleaning produce before eating, along with diligent hand hygiene, are key prevention methods.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
Definition of diligent
Adjective
  • Every demonstration of the truth that God’s law is ever operative is significant.
    — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026
  • The upcoming Splatoon Raiders ditches the series' trademark, competitive multiplayer shooting, to focus entirely on single-player and co-operative raids.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of operative
Adjective
  • The animated film, made with a budget between $150 million and $200 million, has earned upward of $763 million globally less than a month after its release.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The Rick and Morty world is one of the most involved animated series ever created and obviously takes up a lot of brain power to pull together.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of animated

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Cite this Entry

“Active.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/active. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of active for Spanish Speakers

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