Enliven

Quick meaning: Enliven is a verb meaning (transitive) To make more lively, cheerful or interesting.

Meaning

(transitive) To make more lively, cheerful or interesting.

More Meanings

1. (archaic, transitive) To give life or spirit to; to revive or animate.

Example Sentences

The game was much enlivened when both teams scored within five minutes of each other.

The pace came off the match as the first half continued, with the occasional frenetic moment down the flanks enlivening what otherwise became a chess-like tactical battle.

Travel is enlivened not only by the mixed company of French, Berbers, Arabs, and descendants of the Mediterranean-Corsairs who sit together indiscriminately, but also by itinerant vendors of macaroons, sweetmeats and the like, who, as long as they have a travel ticket, ply their wares unhindered by the [ticket] collectors.

Word Forms

• enlivens
• enlivening
• enlivened

Synonyms for enliven

Depending on context, synonyms include arouse, awaken, beghast, leaven, bright, brighten.

Antonyms for enliven

Common opposites include relax, benumb, de-energize, deaden, diminish, muffle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include invigorate, liven, exalt, inspire, vivify, vitalize.

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