Synonym Chooser

How is the word enliven distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of enliven are animate, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

When might animate be a better fit than enliven?

While in some cases nearly identical to enliven, animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When is quicken a more appropriate choice than enliven?

In some situations, the words quicken and enliven are roughly equivalent. However, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

Where would vivify be a reasonable alternative to enliven?

The meanings of vivify and enliven largely overlap; however, 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 enliven Become Familiar With Korean Fusion Cuisine Mikey Reisenberg is another resident enlivening the city’s culinary scene. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025 Other updates enliven the story. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025 Sophisticated polka dots, gingham, stripes and tartan enlivened the look with color. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025 Keke Palmer is traveling back in time to enliven the beauty of decades past. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for enliven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enliven
stimulate
Verb
  • For the first part of the trial, Mowery spent 10 days in the hospital while doctors created a grid of more than 100 points on his head to try to find different circuits or certain activation for pain by watching and stimulating his brain.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Drinking coffee may stimulate an increase in acid production in the stomach.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enliven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enliven. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on enliven

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