Synonym Chooser

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

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 Even the most familiar and quintessentially summer items feel as covetable as ever—think canvas totes the Miu Miu way, espadrilles enlivened by Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza’s crafty touch, or even Khaite’s raffia bags outfitted with a city slickers’ edge. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 3 June 2025 Inspiration is what enlivens and gives actual meaning to work. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 June 2025 Jane Austen Wrecked My Life The Bottom Line Sweet rom-com enlivened by a delightful heroine. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 Meléndez knows how to enliven a scene with chaos or bring down the excitement when a message needs to get across. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enliven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enliven
stimulate
Verb
  • Doing so could stimulate economic growth, and would be warmly welcomed by the White House and investors.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Examples include flashing notifications that make your phone jump and squeak, colorful rewards when others like your posts, and algorithms that push out the most emotional content to stimulate your most base emotions of anger, shame or glee.
    Lisa Schirch, The Conversation, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enliven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enliven. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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