Definitions

liven

[lahy-vuhn] / ˈlaɪ vən /

VERB

animate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

energize enliven exalt excite hearten inspire

STRONG

activate arouse cheer embolden encourage fire gladden impel incite inform inspirit instigate invigorate kindle move quicken revive revivify rouse spark spur stimulate stir urge vitalize vivify

WEAK

make alive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bore discourage tire

STRONG

calm delay depress deter disenchant dishearten dissuade dull halt slow stop suppress

WEAK

deaden kill

VERB

quicken

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accelerate expedite hasten promote revitalize revive spur step up stimulate strengthen

STRONG

activate actuate animate arouse awaken dispatch energize excite galvanize goad grow hurry impel incite increase innervate inspire kindle motivate move pique precipitate refresh rouse speed spring stir urge vitalize vivify

WEAK

innerve make haste shake up vivificate

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decelerate discourage dissuade halt hinder hurt slow

STRONG

bore calm deaden decrease delay depress deter diminish disenchant lull prohibit quiet repress rest stop wait

WEAK

dull retard weaken

VERB

vitalize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

expedite revitalize stimulate

STRONG

accelerate activate actuate animate arouse awaken dispatch energize excite galvanize goad grow hasten hurry impel incite increase innervate inspire kindle motivate move pique precipitate promote refresh revive rouse speed spring spur stir strengthen urge vivify

WEAK

innerve make haste shake up step up vivificate

Antonyms

STRONG

bore calm deaden decrease delay depress deter diminish discourage disenchant dishearten dissuade halt hurt impede kill lull procrastinate prohibit quiet repress rest retard slow stop suppress wait weaken

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has vowed to liven up proceedings, saying during a hustings event that chamber business had become "dull".

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Hamm said that cameos can liven up a sketch or prop up a flatlining monologue, and at that moment he was joined by Kieren Culkin, who recently won an Oscar for “A Real Pain.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2025

Fresh faces with breakout performances can liven things up for you, or you can tune in for the comforts of veterans like Kathy Bates or Harrison Ford.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2024

Among the opportunities is the company's plan to liven its timer-setting, command-fulfilling Google Assistant with Bard's human-directed suggestions.

From Reuters • Nov. 9, 2023

Peter and Linda, if she were to visit him, would undoubtedly liven up the Cambridge scene.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

liven

Example Sentences

Related Words