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View synonyms for enliven

enliven

[ en-lahy-vuhn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make vigorous or active; invigorate:

    The wit of Mencken enlivened his age.

    Synonyms: quicken, stimulate, vivify, inspirit, animate

  2. to make sprightly or cheerful; brighten:

    Flowers enliven any room.

    Synonyms: gladden

    Antonyms: depress



enliven

/ ɪnˈlaɪvən /

verb

  1. to make active, vivacious, or spirited; invigorate
  2. to make cheerful or bright; gladden or brighten


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Derived Forms

  • enˈlivenment, noun
  • enˈlivener, noun
  • enˈlivening, adjective

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Other Words From

  • en·liven·er noun
  • en·liven·ing·ly adverb
  • en·liven·ment noun
  • unen·livened adjective
  • unen·liven·ing adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of enliven1

1625–35; obsolete enlive to give life to ( en- 1 + life ) + -en 1

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Synonym Study

See cheer.

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Example Sentences

Subjective viewpoints, even if they’re not the artist’s, enliven global dialogue.

It’s the kind of scene that can both enliven a movie and live beyond it, and it’s just one small example of what McCarthy can do.

From Time

Not only does it allow them to expand the scale of targeted audiences they can reach, it enlivens their first-party data with fresh information, she said.

From Digiday

All players need to understand the game within the game better, shed their naivete sooner and garner confidence through realizing that their talent enlivens these sports.

Despite their grim predicament, many protesters wore colorful costumes and enlivened the streets with dance and music, bringing reverberations of hope.

From Time

A group of New York chefs show The Daily Beast how to enliven, or wholly recast, holiday table staples.

Liesl Schillinger calls for the return of big-screen romance and wit to enliven the season.

Personally, I hope Giuliani does run for president, if only to enliven a rather dull summer.

All these actions can add a synergistic spark to enliven your kisses.

Retailers who embrace digital technology can harness information to redefine and re-enliven the in-store shopping experience.

The dinner was quiet and uninteresting, save for the cheerful efforts of Arobin to enliven things.

I have, therefore, thought it expedient to enliven with paintings the whole habitation of the saint.

He looked at her with a grave smile, which did not enliven his thoughtful eyes, but gave an inexpressible sweetness to his face.

Birds and flowers do much to enliven the dusky house-windows of the London streets, and both are attended to with great care.

While he was in Paris, an incident occured, the recollection of which has served to enliven many a social occasion.

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