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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of enliven Toyon shrubs enliven the landscape with vivid splashes of red from their bright berries. —

Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025 The second film was a bit of a wash, occasionally enlivened by Carrey’s return as Eggman. —

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024 Spectacular song-and-dance numbers enliven this Netflix original about a down-on-his-luck steampunk inventor who's inspired to recapture his old enthusiasm and creativity. —

EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Since the property changed hands, its sole restaurant, 18 Restaurant & Bar, has become more markedly gourmet with fare like scallops dusted with seaweed crumbs, smoked trout under cucumber and vermouth relish, and venison enlivened by juniper jus and pickled berries. —

Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enliven