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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Contemporary Black dandyism has been enlivening the red carpet at the Met Gala for years. —

Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024 Director of photography Carissa Dorson executes a number of strong visual choices to enliven the frames with visual representations of the story’s themes, preventing the setup of two actors in a single location (which has now become a mocking trope about independent cinema) from feeling stale. —

Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024 This is enlivened by triangular windows and the actual inside shape of the home is really eye-catching. —

Adam Williams, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024 Grace White and Slate Grey leather is enlivened by Lemon Yellow stitching that enhances the creative vision. —

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enliven