animate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-nə-ˌmāt How to pronounce animate (audio)
Definition of animatenext
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to Mr. Clark animates history for his sixth graders by frequently showing up for class dressed like some famous historical figure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

animate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-mət How to pronounce animate (audio)
1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement an animate dance routine that will really get the blood pumping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breathing
having or showing life had a dream about a sandwich that becomes animate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word animate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of animate are enliven, quicken, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When would enliven be a good substitute for animate?

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

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

In what contexts can quicken take the place of animate?

The words quicken and animate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

When is vivify a more appropriate choice than animate?

While the synonyms vivify and animate are close in meaning, 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 animate
Verb
In the live-action, the dwarfs are magical creatures animated with CGI. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 For the clip, shared to Hewitt's Stories, the model began by filming a 13-inch television, which had a retro episode of the Nickelodeon animated hit Rugrats playing on its VCR. — Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
While different religions and ancient cultures had described the planet as animate for eons, Lovelock’s contemporaries in the scientific community were more apt to shun this notion, preferring a Darwinian stance that species adapted to their environments, but not vice versa. — Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024 Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? — Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for animate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate
  1. stimulate
  2. animated
  3. lively
  4. alive
  5. energetic
  6. active
Verb
  • Access to the leaves will stimulate scientific research that will objectively assess coca’s medical and therapeutic potential and benefits, with the ultimate goal of making available for all people a plant that promises to improve their well-being and ease the day-to-day challenges of their lives.
    — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As the moon and Mars collide, rushing toward your future stimulates unnecessary stress.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of stimulate
Adjective
  • Even though that last one was over a decade ago now, Frost has been in loads of projects since then, including doing a lot of voicework for animated endeavors.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Kevin Conroy, most famously the eternal voice of Batman in animated and video game projects for decades, sadly passed away in 2022 from cancer.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • To introduce persimmon in a balanced way, Bassford recommends incorporating the color into decorative touches like wallpaper, upholstery, or bedding for a lively yet harmonious effect.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • The team was made up of epidemiologists and physicians who focused on preventing babies from getting HIV from their mother and keeping children with HIV around the world alive and on treatment to suppress the virus.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Lancia Scorpion people are a rare breed, and hat’s off to them for keeping the flame alive.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of alive
Adjective
  • This was a fantastic week in Paris — energetic and full of strong debuts.
    — Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Claudine’s vibe is welcoming and the lunch crowd is energetic.
    — Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • These teams also check for individuals with active warrants.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The appeals court also narrowly rejected, by an 8-7 vote, a request to hear the case en banc, which would have brought the matter before all active judges on the court.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of active

Browse Nearby Words

animal spirits
animate
animated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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