enlivening 1 of 2

adjective

as in exhilarating

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enlivening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of enliven
as in stimulating
to give life, vigor, or spirit to in most instances it's a good idea to enliven a speech with a joke or two

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 enlivening
Adjective
Everything that's walked down the runway recently has just been mind-boggling and incredibly enlivening. — Brandi Fowler, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026 The look of it was so enlivening. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
But Feels Like Trouble serves as an excellent reminder that dissent can be enlivening. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Similarly, the interplay enacted in the exhibition between Jafa’s and Prince’s work forces us as visitors to actively participate in a practice of juxtapositional thinking ourselves, producing a momentum that is at once menacing and enlivening. — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 The adaptation resets Sophocles’ tragedy to Aztec culture in a transposition that is both visually and musically enlivening. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The country’s multicultural nature means people rarely have to go far to find an enlivening spot to watch Italy, Croatia, Mexico and countless other national teams. — Shelby Blackley, New York Times, 4 July 2026 There is also enough cheese and schmaltz to go around, enlivening the more straightforward parts of the film. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2026 Munson is a terrific burst of fresh air, enlivening the coach car with humor built from relationship foibles. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026 Cissy’s tiny and opinionated mother, Adelaide, shared the family’s modest apartment for six enlivening years. — Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026 Aries’ pioneering, take-charge energy is enlivening and energizing for you. — Maressa Brown, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enlivening
  1. exhilarating
  2. stimulating
  3. exciting
  4. thrilling
  5. invigorating
  6. rousing
  7. loving
  8. warm
Adjective
  • The San Francisco 49ers were still basking in the glow of an exhilarating road win against division rival Seattle that extended their perfect start to the season when Christian McCaffrey offered a word of caution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Cohen, Beaubaire, Kunka and Pink are all Windy City natives who experienced this exhilarating run firsthand.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhilarating
Verb
  • The team also gave the muscle a workout, stimulating it with light for 15 minutes a day at two pulses per second.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Head spas are credited with cleansing the scalp, stimulating blood flow, strengthening hair follicles and lowering stress and anxiety.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Adjective
  • An unopened box may look exciting when it is surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • They're packaged quite perfectly for gift-giving in a gift set of four mini bars that are just as exciting to unwrap as an (edible) holiday treat.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of exciting
Adjective
  • That urgency has marked Holden’s prolific output—especially the thrilling first installment of his Supreme Magnetic series in 2025 and 2022’s Joe Frog—as the Harlem rapper uses his street-hustling past to paint an autobiographical portrait.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bringing its many moving parts together is an impressive feat — and makes for a thrilling night at the theater.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Adjective
  • In a creative landscape that’s increasingly catering to corner-cutting, there’s an invigorating feeling to the way Holden burrows deeper into the minutiae of his life to create something new.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • New bars, which seem to multiply by the second, are no less invigorating.
    — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of invigorating
Adjective
  • The final product is a rousing, brisk, and genuinely inspiring biopic that never feels like homework.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Brees received a rousing ovation as he was introduced on the field, wearing his gold Hall of Fame jacket, and presented his ring by Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of rousing
Adjective
  • Motherhood may not have been her calling, but Sabrina Popo was a loving and affectionate grandmother.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • God is the one divine Mind, and what God knows is what’s real – including each of us as His creation, spiritual, loving, whole, and helpful.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of loving
Adjective
  • The song is a dreamy barn-raiser, hoisting this premise on warm guitar tones and a plaintive tone that proves a through-line throughout the record.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • After another warm weekend, with widespread high temperatures in the 80s, California is set for a real cooldown this week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of warm

Browse Nearby Words

enlivened
enlivening
enlivenment
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Cite this Entry

“Enlivening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enlivening. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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