Definition of animatednext

animated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of animate

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

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 animated
Adjective
The show's only limit is its imagination, as fans have already seen Captain Pike and his crew delight in musical and animated episodes. Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026 The sequel, which has the Ghostbusters facing off with the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian and his profoundly negative vibes, ends in a joyous celebration that brings the Big Apple together while an animated Statue of Liberty stomps to the rescue. James Grebey, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
Directed by veterans of the franchise and animated by david production, the series brings one of JoJo’s most ambitious arcs to life, expanding the mythos of the Joestar bloodline. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 The music that animated Gildenman’s life and that of his fellow partisans is also at the heart of Grymes’ new book. Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for animated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated
Adjective
  • The same traits—sloppy reasoning but a desire for collective punishment—animate other immigration-policy announcements.
    Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
  • From lanterns several stories tall and hundreds of feet long to interactive exhibits that animate and breathe fire (in the form of smoke, Lewis clarifies), the festival evokes a deep sense of awe.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Nguyen’s main renovations brought the bar from the back of the room to the front, an open window into the buzzing new restaurant.
    Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • These channels are tuned to trigger a voltage spike and tell the trap to close only if stimulated multiple times in rapid succession.
    Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Many contests maintain that the frogs can be stimulated humanely to jump, such as someone blowing on them or clapping their hands behind them.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • But smart casting, witty writing, lively directing, and artful character development have also yielded the rare superhero riff that, as Kovak puts it, finds the human underneath.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
  • For 30 minutes, the producers mostly paint with a warm, lively palette, whisking fragments of IDM, ghettotech, and house into a hypnotic swirl.
    Rae-Aila Crumble, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • China has been particularly busy, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Starmer all visiting Beijing this month.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
  • But Greenstein says that keeping your child’s favorite toys handy in one spot around the home where kids feel comfortable and safe can give busy parents some time (even if just a few minutes) to call a friend, make a cup of coffee, take that shower, or even do a quick workout routine.
    Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • His interests reflect both his creativity and his energetic spirit.
    MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Some 35 times more energetic than any neutrino seen before, the particle might have shot out from a highly active galaxy — a blazar — or a background source of cosmogenic high-energy particles that scientists suspect pervade the cosmos.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Matching boots and leggings in black or a similarly dark neutral shade make a beautiful backdrop for a vibrant sweater.
    Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The area, once home to a vibrant Black community known as Freedman’s Town, is now a mix of residential and commercial high-rise towers, pulsing nightlife and pricey townhomes.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Three of the court’s 11 active judges would have granted rehearing, and one dissent is expected to be published at a later date.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Their departure from active group work would leave a void that few current girl groups are positioned to fill, if any.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animated. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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