animated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd How to pronounce animated (audio)
Definition of animatednext
1
as in animate
having much high-spirited energy and movement an animated group of girls loudly running down the hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 animated
Adjective
For both the animated and live-action cinematic work, the storyboards can help the film team understand how to shoot the scenes, anticipate possible difficulties, and facilitate the actors in understanding their characters and the special settings. —Photovogue, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025 The Oscar nominee walked the runway with dramatic, out-to-there lashes that would feel right at home on an animated heroine or villain. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Watch the 2020 animated short to find out! —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024 It's beautifully animated with a soundtrack that fits the tone really well. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for animated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated
  1. animate
  2. lively
  3. busy
  4. energetic
  5. vibrant
  6. active
  7. thriving
  8. brisk
Adjective
  • Charcuterie and cheese, potatoes and onions, meat and offal: These are the ingredients that animate Harris’s chalkboard menu, all old friends, treated with a grandmotherly mix of tenderness and brawn.
    — Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Your business should excite your customers, frustrate your competitors and animate and motivate your people.
    — Jeffrey Russell, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Definition of animate
Adjective
  • The 2025 season has brought a lively atmosphere, with a strong law enforcement presence to ensure safety.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The same subject stirred up a lively debate in the Vogue Slack channel.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • The Mission Beach tower is the busiest in the entire city, and the beach’s popularity with tourists makes emergencies more likely there.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • But standing in a busy subway station, Duffy vowed to continue providing the city with federal support and confirmed the administration has not withheld funding.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of busy
Adjective
  • Chamberlin oversaw the spiritual and energetic cleansing of each fragrance during a final ceremonial step.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • According to the team, this behavior is comparable to birds that appear to deliberately use favorable thermal uplifts to reduce the energetic costs of flying.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of New York City, Nigo’s streetwear roots, and the storied histories of Mercedes-Benz and Moncler, the collection blends past design trends with a contemporary twist.
    — Mecca Pryor, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Azaleas bloom in vibrant shades of yellow, pink, orange, red, and white.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of vibrant
Adjective
  • These teams also check for individuals with active warrants.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of active
Adjective
  • Here, her thriving rose collection has been a project years in the making—the product of a small, gradual endeavor that soared to new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Since distancing from the royal family, Markle has been working on establishing herself as a thriving business woman.
    — Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

animate
animated
animated cartoon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animated. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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