Synonyms of animated

animated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd 

1

as in animate

having much high-spirited energy and movement

an animated group of girls loudly running down the hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• animate
• lively
• energetic
• active
• brisk
• bouncing
• spirited
• cheerful
• enthusiastic
• playful
• kinetic
• awake
• gay
• perky
• sprightly
• vivacious
• jaunty
• jazzy
• peppy
• racy
• spanking
• frisky
• sparky
• zippy
• mettlesome
• springy
• pert
• vital
• airy
• snappy
• on the go
• agile
• bright
• eager
• up
• pizazzy
• spiffy
• pizzazzy
• dapper
• dashing
• buoyant
• effervescent
• chirpy
• upbeat
• spry
• nimble
• alert
• wide-awake
• bubbly
• sparkly
• chipper
• exuberant
• boisterous
• nervous
• impish
• ebullient
• frolicsome
• open-eyed
• agog
• keen
• high-spirited
• pixieish
• chirrupy
• high-strung
• skittish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inanimate
• dead
• inactive
• lifeless
• limp
• listless
• languid
• leaden
• lazy
• inert
• indolent
• tired
• weary
• sluggish
• sleepy
• vapid
• spiritless
• languorous
• lethargic
• lackadaisical
• languishing
• stolid
• impassive
• boring
• apathetic
• dull
• tedious
• torpid
• unambitious
• irksome
• phlegmatic

2

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity

an animated marketplace full of vendors and holiday shoppers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• busy
• vibrant
• lively
• thriving
• humming
• crowded
• kinetic
• brisk
• populous
• rousing
• bustling
• flourishing
• stirring
• alive
• abuzz
• happening
• abubble
• hopping
• astir
• aboil
• teeming
• overflowing
• swarming
• abounding
• thronging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• inactive
• lifeless
• sleepy
• asleep

animated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of animate

as in stimulated

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

• stimulated
• vivified
• enlivened
• aroused
• stirred
• energized
• electrified
• inspired
• awakened
• vitalized
• activated
• provoked
• invigorated
• excited
• quickened
• revived
• cheered
• recreated
• braced
• triggered
• spiked
• lifted
• motivated
• fired
• zipped (up)
• livened (up)
• propelled
• jazzed (up)
• drove
• awaked
• roused
• filliped
• juiced up
• amped (up)
• jump-started
• sparked
• awoke
• raised
• strengthened
• motived
• charged
• gingered (up)
• pepped (up)
• rallied
• boosted
• moved
• resurrected
• refreshed
• actuated
• renewed
• set off
• woke (up)
• waked (up)
• galvanized
• infused
• impelled
• enflamed
• kindled
• reanimated
• incited
• fermented
• inflamed
• buoyed
• enkindled
• turned on
• whipped (up)
• regenerated
• emboldened
• fomented
• revitalized
• reinvigorated
• instigated
• fortified
• heartened
• rejuvenated
• reactivated
• reawakened
• resuscitated
• rekindled
• reenergized
• recharged
• abetted
• steeled
• restimulated
• refreshened
• reawaked
• re-energized
• reawoke

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killed
• damped
• dampened
• deadened
• burned out
• exhausted
• knocked out
• drained
• dulled
• washed out
• undermined
• wore
• weakened
• harassed
• burnt out
• restrained
• fatigued
• enfeebled
• wearied
• wore out
• enervated
• sapped
• did in
• debilitated
• suppressed
• checked
• stunted
• inhibited
• slowed
• repressed
• fagged
• quenched
• stilled
• curbed
• jaded
• quelled
• discouraged
• tuckered (out)
• dispirited
• disheartened
• kayoed
• demoralized
• daunted

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective animated contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of animated are gay, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When can gay be used instead of animated?

While in some cases nearly identical to animated, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is lively a more appropriate choice than animated?

Although the words lively and animated have much in common, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When would sprightly be a good substitute for animated?

The words sprightly and animated can be used in similar contexts, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When might vivacious be a better fit than animated?

The synonyms vivacious and animated are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of animated

Adjective

The new season continues probing that tension between father and son—not by picking up where the original show left off, but by vaulting forward into the future (a rarity for animated programs, whose characters often remain fixed in time). —Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025

And Bambi is credited with how future animated films addressed serious topics. —Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Verb

Grealish was animated on the bench with backroom staff, seemingly gesturing about tactical positioning, while Coleman barked instructions from the touchline. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

The characters almost resemble Playmobil figures but are subtly animated, and can be funny, and even heartbreaking. —Carole Horst, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025