ANIMATED Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'animated' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of animated are gay , lively , sprightly , and vivacious . While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," animated applies to what is spirited and active. // an animated discussion of current events

Q: When can 'gay' be used instead of 'animated'?

While in some cases nearly identical to animated , gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits. // the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Q: When is 'lively' a more appropriate choice than 'animated'?

Although the words lively and animated have much in common, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy. // a lively debate on the issues

Q: When would 'sprightly' be a good substitute for 'animated'?

The words sprightly and animated can be used in similar contexts, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit. // a tuneful, sprightly musical

Q: When might 'vivacious' be a better fit than 'animated'?

The synonyms vivacious and animated are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring. // a vivacious party host

animated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd

Definition of animated next

as in animate

having much high-spirited energy and movement an animated group of girls loudly running down the hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity an animated marketplace full of vendors and holiday shoppers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

animated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of animate

as in stimulated

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective animated contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of animated are gay, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When can gay be used instead of animated?

While in some cases nearly identical to animated, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is lively a more appropriate choice than animated?

Although the words lively and animated have much in common, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When would sprightly be a good substitute for animated?

The words sprightly and animated can be used in similar contexts, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When might vivacious be a better fit than animated?

The synonyms vivacious and animated are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

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 animated

Adjective

On the Tuesday, Oct. 22 episode of Dancing with the Stars, the Olympian, 25, and his dance partner, Rylee Arnold, took on the roles of Hercules and Meg from the 1997 animated classic, Hercules, for the show's Disney night. —

Esther Kang, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 On Friday, the Japanese musical collective released their trilingual, cross-cultural collaboration with Rauw and Tainy, along with its animated music video. —

Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024

Verb

The juried competition showcases the best of professional, animated, and student films selected from more than 2,100 entries annually. —

Katcy Stephan, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024 At the same time, the environments carry a more life-like feel but are still animated, just a different expression. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for animated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated

Adjective

The same themes animate Cusk’s nonfiction from this period.

Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
While plugged in and charging but not in use, the LEDs animate with a red sweeping motion every few seconds.

Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024