Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

quicken

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of quicken

1 to cause to move or proceed fast or faster

  • she eventually quickened her pace so she could keep up with the others
Synonyms of quicken

accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, hurry, rush, speed (up), whisk
Words Related to quicken

drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge

aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate
Near Antonyms of quicken

delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel

arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop
Antonyms of quicken

brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

2 to give life, vigor, or spirit to

  • the news that we'd head to Florida for Christmas quickened the children, who instantly began jumping for joy
Synonyms of quicken

amp (up), animate, brace, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)
Words Related to quicken

arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up)

activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel

charge, electrify, galvanize

enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up)

abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen

reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive
Near Antonyms of quicken

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary

check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress

daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit
Antonyms of quicken

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

Synonym Discussion of quicken

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify 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
animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.
    • happiness animated his conversation
enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.
    • enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes
vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.
    • new blood needed to vivify the dying club

synonyms see in addition provoke

Learn More about quicken

  1. See words that rhyme with quicken Dictionary: Definition of quicken Medical Dictionary: Definition of quicken Spanish Central: Translation of quicken Nglish: Translation of quicken for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up quicken? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

millefleur

having a pattern of small flowers

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games