as in stimulates
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
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 enlivens
Swiss menu options are also available in the lobby lounge, and a weekly DJ enlivens the mood at Onyx Bar (so-named for the illuminated surface that makes up the bar itself).
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Rather, the facts ground the fiction, the fiction enlivens the facts, and both work together to suggest that the pursuit of resurrecting the past and the pursuit of telling a good story can, in some cases, be one and the same.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
This sunny fruit enlivens steamed greens, seafood treasures of all manners, such as, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, and poached salmon, along with scrumptious baked goods and desserts (meringue pies and bars, tarts, ricotta pancakes, sorbets, silky curds, scones, biscottis, muffins).
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Best of all, fan favorite and Marvel Defender badass Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) enlivens the action while Vanessa, Fisk’s fascinating soulmate portrayed with a luminosity as well as a pointed edge by Ayelet Zurer, advance the storyline.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The interior features a living room with a fireplace and tangerine-colored seating that enlivens the space.
—Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
To capture that warmth, Rhode’s Pocket Blush in Sun Soaked delivers a vibrant, spiced orange that instantly enlivens the complexion.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
The seltzer leavens it, enlivens it, puts room between the flavors where the room is needed most, and turns a derivative and mediocre drink into a fascinating and bizarre one.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Artwork by Alisa Galitsyna enlivens the room.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Rather, the facts ground the fiction, the fiction enlivens the facts, and both work together to suggest that the pursuit of resurrecting the past and the pursuit of telling a good story can, in some cases, be one and the same.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
This sunny fruit enlivens steamed greens, seafood treasures of all manners, such as, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, and poached salmon, along with scrumptious baked goods and desserts (meringue pies and bars, tarts, ricotta pancakes, sorbets, silky curds, scones, biscottis, muffins).
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Best of all, fan favorite and Marvel Defender badass Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) enlivens the action while Vanessa, Fisk’s fascinating soulmate portrayed with a luminosity as well as a pointed edge by Ayelet Zurer, advance the storyline.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The interior features a living room with a fireplace and tangerine-colored seating that enlivens the space.
—Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
To capture that warmth, Rhode’s Pocket Blush in Sun Soaked delivers a vibrant, spiced orange that instantly enlivens the complexion.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2026
The seltzer leavens it, enlivens it, puts room between the flavors where the room is needed most, and turns a derivative and mediocre drink into a fascinating and bizarre one.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Artwork by Alisa Galitsyna enlivens the room.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlivens
Verb
-
When someone encounters a threat, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
11 June 2026
-
Having more muscle is beneficial, since muscle mass stimulates bone formation, Matzkin explained.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
And in knowing that each such individual connection animates the memorial’s purpose and meaning in a way that can get lost amid the momentous testimony to the consequences of decisions and actions.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
-
That ambition animates this issue—and all of our journalism.—
Jeffrey Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Enlivens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlivens. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
