The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - animate v.

1) activate, enliven, invigorate, stimulate, inspirit, excite, stir, vitalize, spark, vivify, revitalize, breathe life into, innervate: A little enthusiasm would have animated their dull relationship. 2) inspire, inspirit, stimulate, actuate, move, motivate, incite, rouse, arouse, excite, fire (up) , encourage, energize, vitalize, spur (on or onwards) : He spent the few minutes before the battle in animating his soldiers. --adj. 3) lively, spirited, vivacious, animated, quick: A courser more animate of eye, Of form more faultless never had been seen. 4) alive, moving, breathing, Archaic quick: Although they move, plants are not considered to be animate.