QUICKEN Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

quicken

verb

ˈkwi-kən

Definition of quicken next

as in to accelerate

to cause to move or proceed fast or faster she eventually quickened her pace so she could keep up with the others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stimulate

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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of quicken in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has quickened the evolution of a more definitive realignment, with Russia and China drawing closer and India drifting to the West. —

Happymon Jacob, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2022 Your pulse quickens with every slide—and there are several. —

Sean Evans, Robb Report, 30 July 2024 The pace of activity quickens in the final few days and the last hours can be especially perilous to the public interest as legislators make incautious deals to get their own languishing proposals passed. —

Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2024 In the decades that followed, the rate of privatization and decline of congressional oversight only quickened. —

Michael Brenes, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for quicken

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quicken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.