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
Even with animated animals circling around. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025 Despite being a pretty great animated sitcom in its own right, Dispatch will need to quickly start leaning further into its immersive elements to justify its place (and price tag) among a crowded streaming landscape. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
The film won win an Academy Award for short film (animated) in 2024. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2025 That, readers, is what a standout animated musical like K-Pop Demon Hunters can do. Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated
Adjective
  • 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
  • Political violence in the late summer and early fall, along with a government shutdown that began Oct. 1 also appeared to animate voters in the final days of the campaign.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The cancellations made up nearly half of the airline’s flight schedule during the buzzing holiday season.
    Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • They can also be stimulated by the absence of male toxicity.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Chabada For a livelier scene, head to the main drag along Platja de l’Arenal to find Chabada.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The style throughout, irrespective of category, is lively without being hectic, a pleasing postmodern blend of contemporary, midcentury, and roughly Victorian elements.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Visiting the restaurant has become an expression of the purest form of Panthers fandom — and that’s helped make this week quite busy ahead of the Panthers’ first home playoff game in 10 years.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Those who remain are concentrated in Venezuela’s cities, including its capital, Caracas, where the street market in the Catia neighborhood once was so busy that shoppers bumped into one another and dodged oncoming traffic.
    Regina Garcia Cano, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Whether that’s stand in the pocket, whether that’s run, whether that’s scramble, whether that’s hand the ball off 30 times and be energetic about it.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.
    Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • With their vibrant pink color and unusual picotee pattern, the flowers of 'Supra Cherry' picotee dianthus will command attention in the garden.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Shop it in a set of two or pick up a single jar, and choose from two colors, including this deep green or vibrant orange.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Highly active world Enceladus is a highly active world, with a global, salty sub-surface ocean, believed to be the source of its heat.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animated. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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