Synonyms of living

living 1 of 3

adjective

ˈli-viŋ 

1

as in operating

being in effective operation

a living tradition of the holiday season

a living culture that has survived a number of foreign invasions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operating
• operational
• operative
• functioning
• live
• working
• running
• going
• active
• on
• in force
• alive
• functional
• operable
• in commission
• on line
• viable
• in gear
• effective
• producing
• serving
• employable
• performing
• flourishing
• effectual
• useful
• usable
• productive
• workable
• busy
• thriving
• humming
• yielding
• dynamic
• bustling
• astir
• roaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• broken
• inactive
• inoperative
• nonfunctioning
• nonfunctional
• nonoperative
• useless
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• nonactivated
• nonoperational
• nonoperating
• arrested
• idle
• dormant
• unusable
• kaput
• decommissioned
• inert
• deactivated
• unworkable
• quiescent
• fallow
• lifeless
• sleepy
• asleep
• inoperable
• latent
• unproductive
• nonproductive
• stagnating
• vegetating

2

as in existing

having being at the present time

there are fewer than a dozen living former presidents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• existing
• extant
• existent
• alive
• operating
• active
• functioning
• around
• busy
• working
• flourishing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• extinct
• destroyed
• gone
• defunct
• lost
• departed
• nonextant
• nonexistent
• exterminated
• idle
• inactive
• inert
• kaput

3

as in breathing

having or showing life

is your hamster still living?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breathing
• alive
• live
• animate
• active
• surviving
• thriving
• lively
• animated
• dynamic
• existing
• quick
• vibrant
• current
• going
• existent
• prevailing
• extant
• vigorous
• vital
• vivacious
• resurrected

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• deceased
• dying
• cold
• inanimate
• nonliving
• departed
• lifeless
• expired
• asleep
• defunct
• breathless
• fading
• moribund
• resting
• stillborn
• gone
• absent
• ghostly
• extinct
• nonexistent
• finished
• vanished
• terminated
• fallen
• wiped out
• lost
• ghostlike
• barren
• lapsed
• desert
• reposing
• zombielike
• ghosty
• perished

4

as in realistic

closely resembling the object imitated

an outdoor museum that is a living re-creation of a typical New England village circa 1840

Synonyms & Similar Words

• realistic
• natural
• naturalistic
• near
• three-dimensional
• like
• comparable
• similar
• lifelike
• vivid
• graphic
• true
• compelling
• matching
• convincing
• accurate
• photo-realistic
• alike
• faithful
• close
• analogous
• resembling
• akin
• approximate
• expressive
• verisimilar
• gritty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unlike
• unnatural
• unrealistic
• dissimilar
• off
• different
• incomparable
• unmatched
• disparate
• nonnatural
• contrasting
• nonrealistic
• mock
• fake
• phony
• unalike
• sham
• contrasted

living

2 of 3

noun

as in livelihood

Related Words

• livelihood
• work
• employment
• occupation
• business
• enterprise
• profession
• vocation
• calling
• trade
• field
• game
• racket
• art
• mission
• lay
• lifework
• métier
• office
• engagement
• situation
• assignment
• line
• gig
• call
• craft
• position
• job
• place
• handicraft
• task
• function
• duty
• handcraft
• post
• load
• workload
• appointment
• billet
• berth

Dissimilar Words

• pursuit
• hobby
• avocation

living

3 of 3

verb

present participle of live

1

as in residing

to have a home

he lives next door to the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

• residing
• dwelling
• staying
• abiding
• inhabiting
• occupying
• visiting
• lodging
• haunting
• cohabiting
• hanging (at)
• settling
• frequenting
• renting
• populating
• subletting
• leasing
• peopling
• tenanting

2

as in being

to have life

Socrates was a philosopher who lived in ancient Greece

Synonyms & Similar Words

• being
• existing
• breathing
• ruling
• subsisting
• surviving
• continuing
• kicking
• enduring
• flourishing
• keeping (on)
• lasting
• abiding
• leading
• moving
• persisting
• holding on
• running on
• thriving
• prospering
• holding up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dying
• departing
• perishing
• succumbing
• vanishing
• disappearing
• expiring
• passing away
• evaporating
• ending
• stopping
• ceasing
• dying (down)
• quitting
• discontinuing
• subsiding
• moderating
• waning
• ebbing
• abating
• desisting
• letting up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of living

Adjective

For Dinat, one of the few with living memories of the ’56 march, the lesson hasn’t changed in 70 years. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

While plastic borders have gained popularity over the years for their practicality, many gardeners are now gravitating towards living borders consisting of plants, which offer a more natural look and can provide additional benefits, such as habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 June 2026

Noun

Friday’s announcement comes as cost-of-living issues are at the forefront of voters’ concerns ahead of the midterm elections in November. — Fatima Hussein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Fuel prices have risen five-fold since, sparking a cost-of-living crisis that has become a key campaign issue ahead of an election in January in which Tinubu will seek a second term. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Their investigation takes them to Echo Canyon Farm, a commune run by a charismatic cult leader, Lawrence Cole (Damon Herriman); Tommy had been living there at the time of his death. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026

Commentary and opinion Mosquitoes are making Los Angeles summers a living hell, argues columnist Robin Abcarian. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026