animated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of animate

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
Even from a distance, the character made an impact on a young Shannon Tindle growing up in rural Kentucky, who would go on to become the writer-director of Netflix’s animated Ultraman: Rising. Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2024 The latest from Oscar-winning stop-motion animator Adam Elliot is expected to be in the mix for an Academy Award nomination for animated feature. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The juxtapositions are sometimes startling but always successful, animated by a sense of curiosity and play. Ann Abel, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 This tool allows the generation of videos in various styles, including live-action, animated, and anime, suitable for platforms like YouTube, Shorts/Reels, and LinkedIn. Charlie Fink, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for animated 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated
Adjective
  • 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
  • The same themes animate Cusk’s nonfiction from this period.
    Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 28 June 2024
Adjective
  • With a friendly and gentle temperament, the vizsla is well suited to lively households and enjoys participating in various dog sports and outdoor activities.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Stroll corridors filled with lively conversation; hear and see in faithful detail what transpired almost three centuries ago.
    Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • After a slow and frustrating start to the week missing out on Juan Soto and Fried, the Red Sox were busy on Wednesday.
    Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The park has been gradually reopening since July 2022, and weekends are busy enough that rangers urge visitors to make parking reservations at least a day ahead (details below).
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This adaptation is especially significant given the energetic limitations of the deep sea; by luring prey rather than actively hunting, the anglerfish minimizes energy expenditure—a critical advantage in a resource-scarce ecosystem.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Bleachers, the energetic pop band led by Taylor Swift producer Jack Antonoff, played Connecticut a few months ago at the Soundside Festival in Bridgeport, joining that festival when Queens of the Stone Age had to drop off the bill.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Whiskey finished in Naranja casks features vibrant orange and grapefruit notes and herbal notes of black tea; there are additional notes of sweet honey, caramel, wood spice, and vanilla hints.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The formula is long-lasting and vibrant, which promises all-day wear, while the precision tip makes application so much easier.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite not having the silicone tips that fully block out noise, the pair of earbuds still demonstrates active noise cancellation.
    Casey Clark, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024
  • This type of garlic preparation has more active antioxidants, which prevent cell damage, than fresh garlic.10 A 90-day clinical trial demonstrated that the people in the study who took the extract had less severe symptoms than those who didn't.
    Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Lee has encounters with plenty of other men — there is a fairly thriving gay community in town — but he’s taken with Allerton.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Residents are more inclined to vote, volunteer and seek higher education, demonstrating how a thriving arts scene can promote a connected and involved community.
    Sara Smith, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • On Tuesday, December 10, the duo was spotted out for a brisk walk in New York City together.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In fact, Belmond’s Champenois says its trains do a brisk business of full buyouts, so the dedicated coach is perhaps icing on the cake.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near animated

Cite this Entry

“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animated. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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