quicken

Definition of quickennext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word quicken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quicken are animate, enliven, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

In what contexts can animate take the place of quicken?

The words animate and quicken can be used in similar contexts, but animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When is it sensible to use enliven instead of quicken?

Although the words enliven and quicken have much in common, enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

When could vivify be used to replace quicken?

The words vivify and quicken are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 quicken As the Roman republic’s social and political breakdown quickened, decades of progress in women’s self-determination, emancipation, and participation in public life were erased. Time, 24 Nov. 2025 As the pace of the lawsuits has quickened and the bill for the county’s payouts has grown, advocates and others have called for county supervisors to do more to hold the Sheriff’s Office accountable, including by taking the money out of its budget rather than the general fund. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2025 Researchers in South Korea have achieved a breakthrough that can lead to safer and more efficient batteries, quickening the transition to clean energy and paving the way for a more sustainable future. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025 Smith quickened his pace as the ball flew 366 feet, soaring over the home bullpens. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quicken
Verb
  • The race to commercialize perovskite technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The transfer portal, which opened Friday, allows programs to accelerate the rebuilding process and replace departing players — more than 20 in Florida’s case.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce inflammation, and activate parts of the brain that can calm the body after long exposure.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The implication was that there could be an easily accessible, off-the-shelf shot capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • First responders in Atlanta rushed to an airport runway Tuesday after an aircraft experienced a harrowing landing failure, with all eight of its landing tires bursting the moment the plane touched down, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Lopez rushed her back to the emergency room, where an MRI revealed a diagnosis of transverse myelitis, a rare inflammatory disorder affecting the spinal cord.
    Leondra Head, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quicken. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on quicken

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