liven

verb

liv·​en ˈlī-vən How to pronounce liven (audio)
livened; livening ˈlī-və-niŋ How to pronounce liven (audio)
ˈlīv-niŋ

transitive verb

: enliven
—often used with up
… he … livened up the editorial page.—Current Biography

intransitive verb

: to become lively

Synonyms of liven

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Examples of liven in a Sentence

He played some music to liven the atmosphere.
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.
One of Greenblatt’s big ideas to liven up NBC’s schedule was to lean in to the network’s roots as the home of great entertainment specials and spectacles. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 First out of Cannes, where Bola Negra livened up a sleepy year on the Croisette before being snapped up by Netflix. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 The color treatment is also reminiscent of what was seen on the first Jellyfish, with a predominantly neutral upper that’s livened up through vivid accents. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Braga explained how the third season was where everything finally clicked into gear and livened up the show. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liven

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of liven was circa 1628

Rhymes for liven

See All Rhymes for liven

Browse Nearby Words

lively interest
liven
liveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liven. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

liven

verb
liv·​en ˈlī-vən How to pronounce liven (audio)
livened; livening ˈlīv-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce liven (audio)
: to make or become lively
—often used with up
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