Synonyms of active

active

adjective

ˈak-tiv 

1

as in operating

being in effective operation

the abandoned factory had not been active for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operating
• operational
• operative
• functioning
• running
• working
• functional
• on
• going
• alive
• live
• in force
• operable
• in commission
• living
• effective
• viable
• on line
• in gear
• useful
• effectual
• productive
• dynamic
• producing
• busy
• usable
• employable
• serving
• performing
• flourishing
• workable
• thriving
• bustling
• humming
• yielding
• astir
• roaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inactive
• dead
• broken
• inoperative
• nonoperative
• nonfunctional
• nonfunctioning
• useless
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• nonoperational
• nonactivated
• nonoperating
• deactivated
• idle
• dormant
• inert
• latent
• arrested
• quiescent
• decommissioned
• kaput
• unusable
• inoperable
• unworkable
• unproductive
• sleepy
• fallow
• lifeless
• nonproductive
• asleep
• stagnating
• vegetating

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity

all morning the crowd at the coffeehouse kept Marion and her helper pretty active

Synonyms & Similar Words

• engaged
• diligent
• busy
• employed
• occupied
• working
• preoccupied
• industrious
• assiduous
• immersed
• bustling
• sedulous
• laborious
• hopping
• lively
• absorbed
• operating
• focused
• vibrant
• concentrating
• operational
• functioning
• buzzing
• energetic
• tied-up
• operative
• thriving
• animated
• humming
• going
• vigorous
• functional
• flourishing
• engrossed
• running
• happening
• hardworking
• tireless
• living
• alive
• intent
• knee-deep
• indefatigable
• swamped
• astir
• untiring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inactive
• idle
• unemployed
• free
• unoccupied
• passive
• dormant
• latent
• quiescent
• sleepy
• inert
• lifeless
• unbusy
• slow
• asleep
• dead
• dull
• inoperative
• nonoperating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of active

Access to the offer page requires an active Epicurious/Bon Appetit subscription. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2026

Holtec is developing the Pioneer units around its SMR-300 reactor, which uses passive safety systems designed to respond to abnormal conditions without relying on active operator intervention. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

The Panthers waived Horn in order to make way for Tyrel Dodson, who was signed to the active roster on Monday evening, a league source told The Charlotte Observer. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

That leaves Koch as the only Artemis II crew member on an active astronaut roster, but Glover and Wiseman, as emeritus flyers, aren't out of the agency entirely. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026