ANIMATE Synonyms: 268 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of animate are enliven , quicken , and vivify . While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial. // happiness animated his conversation

Q: When would 'enliven' be a good substitute for 'animate'?

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

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

The words quicken and animate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert. // the arrival of spring quickens the earth

Q: When is 'vivify' a more appropriate choice than 'animate'?

While the synonyms vivify and animate are close in meaning, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality. // new blood needed to vivify the dying club

animate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-nə-ˌmāt

Definition of animate

as in to stimulate

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

animate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-mət

as in animated

having much high-spirited energy and movement an animate dance routine that will really get the blood pumping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in breathing

having or showing life had a dream about a sandwich that becomes animate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word animate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of animate are enliven, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When would enliven be a good substitute for animate?

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

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can quicken take the place of animate?

The words quicken and animate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

When is vivify a more appropriate choice than animate?

While the synonyms vivify and animate are close in meaning, 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 animate

Verb

Now, with the release of the feature-length animated The Cat in the Hat, the company kicks off an anticipated three-film slate and a year-long celebration of Geisel’s seven decades of influence. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 The three shorts categories – animated, documentary and live action – already use qualifying festivals, as does documentary feature. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The experiences that animate human writing exist outside of AI’s ken, no matter how vast its training data. — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2026 The self is made of memories but can also shape them — an animate sculpture able to rework its own clay. — Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate

Verb

However, understanding how brain activity differs between healthy aging and neurodegeneration could help researchers test future treatments, including techniques that stimulate the brain without surgery.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Electrodes closer to the forehead stimulate a brain region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, associated with mood regulation (for example, calming anxiety).

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Adjective

There’s this desire, understandable on its face, to make the design and aesthetics of the live-action world recognizably similar to the animated world.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
The face is customizable with various colorways, clock fonts, and photos; there’s also an animated Snoopy, whose antics change with the weather and the holidays.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of animated

Adjective

Common areas also include a lively lobby bar and cigar room for pours and puffs, respectively, as well as an impressive wine list with bottles sourced from all over the world.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
That was the message behind a lively conversation at The Chef Assembly in Charlotte, a two-day gathering of leading chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and hospitality professionals to explore conversations shaping the restaurant industry.

— Evan Moore November 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

Joaquín Pereyra scored two goals, defender Cherrion Valerius scored the first of his career and Minnesota United kept its postseason hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over LAFC on Sunday night.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Supporting fresh talent keeps the interest and excitement around the industry as a whole alive, and Arnault has clearly found inspiration in the indies.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of alive

Adjective

Laser cooling slowed the atoms, and evaporative cooling removed the most energetic ones, allowing the remaining atoms to form a condensate inside an optical dipole trap.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
The energetic forward missed the first nine games of the season because of swelling in his left knee.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of energetic

Adjective

The statement was active for Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore, San Francisco Peninsula Coast, Northern Monterey Bay and Big Sur.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Instead of the long-standing practice of relaying reports from states, the CDC now relies on federal death records, which can take weeks to come through and are not designed to capture the real-time data needed to respond to an active outbreak.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of active

Cite this Entry

Style

“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of animate

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes