Synonyms of enliven

enliven

verb

in-ˈlī-vən 

as in to stimulate

to give life, vigor, or spirit to

in most instances it's a good idea to enliven a speech with a joke or two

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stimulate
• arouse
• invigorate
• energize
• animate
• vitalize
• stir
• vivify
• electrify
• provoke
• awaken
• inspire
• excite
• quicken
• activate
• revive
• strengthen
• cheer
• motivate
• jump-start
• recreate
• drive
• jazz (up)
• rouse
• propel
• spark
• lift
• liven (up)
• zip (up)
• brace
• fire
• trigger
• spike
• raise
• motive
• awake
• amp (up)
• boost
• rally
• fillip
• refresh
• pep (up)
• move
• charge
• resurrect
• juice up
• renew
• impel
• galvanize
• wake (up)
• infuse
• ginger (up)
• actuate
• incite
• reinvigorate
• revitalize
• inflame
• foment
• fortify
• embolden
• set off
• rejuvenate
• instigate
• hearten
• rekindle
• reawaken
• buoy
• regenerate
• ferment
• kindle
• reactivate
• enflame
• reanimate
• whip (up)
• abet
• resuscitate
• enkindle
• turn on
• steel
• reenergize
• recharge
• refreshen
• restimulate
• reawake

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• dampen
• kill
• deaden
• undermine
• damp
• weaken
• weary
• wear
• harass
• drain
• debilitate
• restrain
• inhibit
• exhaust
• enfeeble
• wear out
• burn out
• suppress
• slow
• knock out
• sap
• curb
• check
• wash out
• enervate
• fatigue
• quell
• quench
• do in
• repress
• discourage
• still
• stunt
• demoralize
• daunt
• tucker (out)
• dishearten
• fag
• kayo
• dispirit
• jade

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

Recent Examples of enliven

The federal panel said Trump overstepped his authority by implementing a tariff regime on dozens of countries in a bid to enliven domestic manufacturing and to slash budget deficits by generating revenue from import levies. —Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025

In any case, the patina of authenticity does little to enliven the drab, unscary proceedings, set, as in the real-life case, in 1928 Iowa. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025

Darkness was released during the period when British punk rock enlivened pop music’s social consciousness. —Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025

Photo: John Woodcock Traditional design is enlivened with moments of whimsy and personality in the designs of Black Ink Interiors. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025