as in stimulating
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in exhilarating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 enlivening
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Amid all the fresh novelty enlivening the Southern barbecue scene, many old classics still shine.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlivening
Verb
-
Fiber helps increase feelings of fullness by slowing digestion and stimulating the release of satiety hormones.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Another highlight of the month is Pluto’s shift direct in Aquarius on October 13, which supercharges your joy sector, stimulating feelings of romance, creativity, play, and pleasure.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
To play someone whose world is so beautiful on the surface but whose secrets are ruthless has been an exhilarating challenge.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Writer and Books Are Magic bookstore owner Emma Straub spoke with Lily King about her new book, Heart the Lover (out now with Grove), smart characters, time jumps, and the utterly exhilarating process of finishing a novel.—
Emma Straub
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Their stories capture the creativity, resilience, and ambition that are making Arizona one of the most exciting places for innovation and entrepreneurship in 2025.—
Wyles Daniel,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Stories can be prepared, but since most decisions ultimately fall to the roll of the dice, there’s an exciting spontaneity for the millions of people watching at home.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hard sparring is a thrilling confrontation, not with your opponent so much as with yourself.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Getting to see that process from this completely different vantage point was pretty thrilling.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The optimism and creativity in London in the macro-climate is impressive and invigorating.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
In 1979, Birkin began an affair with the filmmaker Jacques Doillon, who was thirty-five to her thirty-two—an invigorating change from Gainsbourg, eighteen years her senior.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This boundary-breaking dance drama follows Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze) in a wrong-side-of-the-tracks romantic entanglement that all starts with a rousing night of bumping and grinding.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Certainly, the film doesn’t deliver any rousing sense of justice like in, say, director Jennifer Fox’s child-abuse-story The Tale.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ultimately, Gibson rehomed his two adult dogs and their three puppies in safe, loving homes.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Tyler is being remembered as a loving brother, uncle and son.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Best Things to See and Do One of the highlights of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is its access to hiking trails, so make sure to bring decent walking or hiking shoes and a warm layer or two.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Used a mulch, leaves keep soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, protecting plant roots from extreme temperatures.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Enlivening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlivening. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share