to give life to; make alive

God animated the dust.

to make lively, vivacious, or vigorous; give zest or spirit to

Her presence animated the party.

to fill with courage or boldness; encourage

to animate weary troops.

to move or stir to action; motivate

He was animated by religious zeal.

to give motion to

leaves animated by a breeze.

to prepare or produce as an animated cartoon

to animate a children's story.

alive; possessing life

animate creatures.

lively

an animate expression of joy.

of or relating to animal life.

able to move voluntarily.

Linguistics . belonging to a syntactic category or having a semantic feature that is characteristic of words denoting beings regarded as having perception and volition ( opposed to inanimate ).

adjective

dead , discouraged , dull , quiet , shy , spiritless

verb

deaden , discourage , kill

adjective

breathing , live , living , mortal , moving , viable , vital , zoetic , activated , active , alert , animated , dynamic , energized , gay , happy , spirited , vivacious , enlivened , enthusiastic , excited , fired , lively , organic , prompted , spunky , stimulated , zealous

verb

activate , arouse , cheer , embolden , encourage , energize , enliven , exalt , excite , fire , gladden , hearten , impel , incite , inform , inspire , inspirit , instigate , invigorate , kindle , liven , make alive , move , quicken , revive , revivify , rouse , spark , spur , stimulate , stir , urge , vitalize , vivify , brighten , buoy , elevate , exhilarate , flush , lift , uplift , motivate , enkindle , impassion , actuate , alive , drive , enhearten , ensoul , importune , living , perk , prompt , push , waken