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

Doctors may also tell them to elevate the affected leg or arm to improve blood flow while resting, take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen, stay active to keep blood from pooling and possibly wear compression socks or an elastic bandage. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

As recess is one of the most active places for bullying to take place, Rhea wanted to counteract that trend. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

What started more than 30 years ago as a fork of NetBSD has grown into one of the most security-conscious operating systems in active development. — Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

As part of the agreement, the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights will close 18 active investigations into UNC, while the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division will close a separate 18-month compliance review opened in April 2025. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026