quicken

verb

ˈkwi-kən How to pronounce quicken (audio)
Definition of quickennext
1
as in to accelerate
to cause to move or proceed fast or faster she eventually quickened her pace so she could keep up with the others

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to the news that we'd head to Florida for Christmas quickened the children, who instantly began jumping for joy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quicken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of quicken are animate, enliven, and vivify. While all these words mean "to make alive or lively," quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert.

the arrival of spring quickens the earth

In what contexts can animate take the place of quicken?

The words animate and quicken can be used in similar contexts, but animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial.

happiness animated his conversation

When is it sensible to use enliven instead of quicken?

Although the words enliven and quicken have much in common, enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity.

enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes

When could vivify be used to replace quicken?

The words vivify and quicken are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality.

new blood needed to vivify the dying club

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 quicken The pace of information has quickened, competition is fiercer, expectations are sky-high, and margins matter more than ever. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Even worse, the pace of tech industry job cuts has quickened in the Bay Area in recent months, this news organization’s review of more than 100 posts at the state EDD website shows. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Fiery Mars shifts into your 11th House of Friends, quickening chats and group planning while your expressive nature rallies people around playful, creative goals. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 Recently, though, Disney has begun making moves — including the poaching of Zameczkowski — that suggest its pace of activity in APAC could be quickening. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for quicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quicken
  1. accelerate
  2. stimulate
  3. rush
Verb
  • However, with multiple suppliers accelerating expansion, the eventual release of new capacity has raised fears of an inflection point in chip prices, which could threaten current high margins.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But no one has generated that feeling more than Mahomes, starting with some jaw-dropping throws in his first NFL start in the 2017 regular-season finale and accelerating with his true debut in 2018 with 10 touchdown passes in the first two games.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Chan’s parents always treated their back pain from laborious food industry jobs with acupuncture and cupping, the practice of using cups or suction on the skin to stimulate blood flow and the flow of chi, or energy.
    — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Featured in over-the-counter topical products, the vitamin A derivative is found ubiquitously in anti-aging skin-care products, selected for its ability to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen.
    — Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulate
Verb
  • Paramedics with the Liberty Fire Department rushed to his aid and took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Outside the emergency room entrance, Katie Winschief floated above her body as paramedics put her in a wheelchair and rushed her toward the hospital doors.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rush

Browse Nearby Words

quick
quicken
quickened
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Cite this Entry

“Quicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quicken. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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