ENLIVEN Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'enliven' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of enliven are animate , quicken , and vivify . While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity. // enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

Q: When might 'animate' be a better fit than 'enliven'?

While in some cases nearly identical to enliven , animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial. // happiness animated his conversation

Q: When is 'quicken' a more appropriate choice than 'enliven'?

In some situations, the words quicken and enliven are roughly equivalent. However, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert. // the arrival of spring quickens the earth

Q: Where would 'vivify' be a reasonable alternative to 'enliven'?

The meanings of vivify and enliven largely overlap; however, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality. // new blood needed to vivify the dying club

enliven

verb

in-ˈlī-vən

Definition of enliven next

as in to stimulate

to give life, vigor, or spirit to in most instances it's a good idea to enliven a speech with a joke or two

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How is the word enliven distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of enliven are animate, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

When might animate be a better fit than enliven?

While in some cases nearly identical to enliven, animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When is quicken a more appropriate choice than enliven?

In some situations, the words quicken and enliven are roughly equivalent. However, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

Where would vivify be a reasonable alternative to enliven?

The meanings of vivify and enliven largely overlap; however, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

Examples 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 enliven This recipe cooks them in an unabashed tomato sauce enlivened with preserved lemon. —

Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Dec. 2024 Commentary: How dancing through rain and mud helped relight the lost fire of Burning Man There were many successes — like the extravagant aerialists and fire dances who enlivened our dance floor. —

Morena Duwe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024 Her gifts don’t lie in staking out revolutionary new comic premises but rather in enlivening familiar premises with counterintuitive perspectives and energetic delivery. —

Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2024 Flavors of blackberry, black currant, vanilla, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, and anisette are enlivened by a closing splash of bright raspberry. —

Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enliven

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“Enliven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enliven. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

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Last Updated: 23 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of enliven

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