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

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
Jack, notably the star of the 1993 animated classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, wore a black and white pinstripe suit, accentuating his skeletal frame and spooky smile — and his new mask embodies that signature smirk! Charna Flam, People.com, 13 May 2025 The newcomer enrolled in tap classes, and trained fastidiously with associate choreographer Rachelle Rak, figuring out how an animated siren might walk and stand. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
Lazarus is produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio MAPPA. Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025 Brody worked the room like an architect with a plan, getting animated in a discussion with Board of Governors member Rita Wilson and then regaling SAG Award orator Jane Fonda at the bar. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animated
Adjective
  • The objects appear startlingly animate, as if bodies and ethnographic specimens are hanging on display.
    Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Throughout the book, land and water are animate, so rivers speak and murmur and remember and address the reader.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The primary bedroom suite mirrors the lively palette of the living room, blending mustard, green, and cobalt in deeply tactile textiles.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
  • In one image, Turner was seen kissing the singer's head with his arm around her shoulders, while another showed the couple engaged in a lively chat while laying on the ground.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • In a busy warehouse, for instance, human workers and multiple robots performing different tasks—often from different vendors—need a unified system that ensures smooth collaboration, avoiding collisions and idle time.
    Florian Pestoni, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • But given her busy schedule, Burke said, it’s been a hard date to nail down.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Today, DeVos said that Eliana, now 3, is a happy and energetic toddler, and her scar is hardly noticeable.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • The latest victim who attempted friendship with one of these hungry giants ended up causing the most energetic explosion to ever occur in the universe.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this week, the Duchess of Sussex posted a photo of a table covered in bowls of vibrant berries, lemons and measuring cups.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • The vibrant nightlife scene was rounded out each day of runway shows and networking opportunities, with Miami’s legendary party culture infusing the Swim Week energy.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Action step: Practice active listening during meetings.
    Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This includes tech startups like Queen One, which just signed a 10-year lease for its new headquarters in Williamsburg, joining a thriving innovation ecosystem in Brooklyn and contributing to New York City’s status as the applied AI capital of the world.
    Adolfo Carrión Jr, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
  • Once a thriving port city, Ephesus is thought to have been originally settled around 1200 BCE, towards the end of the Bronze age.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Examples include moderate or brisk walking, water aerobics, doubles tennis, slow cycling, or ballroom dancing.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025
  • The sun peeked out, but brisk winds were blowing and temperatures only climbed to the high 40s near the lakefront.
    Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animated. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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