invigorate

verb

in·​vig·​o·​rate in-ˈvi-gə-ˌrāt How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
invigorated; invigorating
Synonyms of invigorate

transitive verb

: to give life and energy to : animate
also : stimulate sense 1
invigoration
in-ˌvi-gə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
noun
invigorator
in-ˈvi-gə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of invigorate

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of invigorate in a Sentence

A brisk walk in the cool morning air always invigorates me. He was invigorated by the positive feedback. The mayor has plans to invigorate the downtown economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Reading Ascherson’s finest essays today, so many of them on the big European personalities—de Gaulle, Brandt, Thatcher—is still invigorating, even for those of us too young to remember the fall of the Berlin Wall. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 The project will help invigorate the riverfront south of Washington Street and is the first step in connecting South Harrison Street to West Benton Street in the downtown, officials said. — Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Amid one of the worst losses of the season, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada intended to invigorate his best pitcher. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Oasis Spa embraces that connection to nature with cascading waterfalls, secluded treatment bungalows, hydrotherapy whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and invigorating hot-and-cold plunge pools. — Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invigorate

Word History

Etymology

probably from in- + vigor

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invigorate was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

invigor
invigorate
invigorating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invigorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invigorate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

invigorate

verb
in·​vig·​o·​rate in-ˈvig-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
invigorated; invigorating
: to give life and energy to
invigoration
-ˌvig-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
noun
invigorator
-ˈvig-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce invigorate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All