as in to stimulate
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement
an animate dance routine that will really get the blood pumping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breathing
having or showing life
had a dream about a sandwich that becomes animate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of animate
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
27 June 2026
The investigation appeared to be animated by a conservative activists’ misunderstanding of the county’s ballot-counting process.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Big Think,
6 May 2026
The house is dizzyingly animate, like a video game where every object is a glowing grail.
—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for animate
Verb
Fox, Peppy, Falco, and Slippy all look incredibly detailed and well-animated.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
27 June 2026
The investigation appeared to be animated by a conservative activists’ misunderstanding of the county’s ballot-counting process.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
Adjective
Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.
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Big Think,
6 May 2026
The house is dizzyingly animate, like a video game where every object is a glowing grail.
—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for animate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animate
Verb
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Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness.
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Deadheading spent blooms will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.
Adjective
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Annecy, which was established as a bi-annual event in 1960 and shifted to a yearly event in 1998, hosts a main competition every year, with roughly 10 or so animated films of all types — from 2D to 3D to stop-motion — competing for the Cristal for Best Feature Film.
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The film features an original score by acclaimed composer Christophe Beck, whose iconic work on Disney’s Frozen and Frozen II has resonated with audiences around the world and helped define a generation of animated storytelling.
Adjective
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The stadium is alive with Ecuadoran supporters on their feet and rejoicing in the final 10 minutes or so of the game.
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Everything that keeps the testicle alive and functional runs through the spermatic cord — arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatics, bundled together along with the vas deferens.
Adjective
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Vibrant banners will fill the land alongside lively Spanish music.
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On East Passyunk Avenue, Supérette is a lively French wine bar, market and bottle shop where rosé and pastis are enjoyed with snacks like duck prosciutto and raclette sandwiches.
Adjective
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Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
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Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.
Adjective
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People should not approach wild animals that appear sick, injured, or dead, including nocturnal species such as bats and raccoons that are active during daylight hours.
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The union has been in active negotiations with the state to draft a new contract, but the two parties had not reached a deal as of Tuesday, when the existing agreement is scheduled to expire.
Cite this Entry
“Animate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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