energize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
energizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
energized,
past participle, past
-
energizing
present participle
-
to give energy to; rouse into activity.
to energize the spirit with brave words.
-
to supply electrical current to or store electrical energy in.
verb (used without object)
-
energizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
energized,
past participle, past
-
energizing
present participle
verb
-
to have or cause to have energy; invigorate
-
(tr) to apply a source of electric current or electromotive force to (a circuit, field winding, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
energizesimple
-
energizessimple
-
have energizedperfect
-
has energizedperfect
-
am energizingprogressive
-
are energizingprogressive
-
is energizingprogressive
-
have been energizingperfect progressive
-
has been energizingperfect progressive
Past
-
energizedsimple
-
had energizedperfect
-
was energizingprogressive
-
were energizingprogressive
-
had been energizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of energize
Explanation
Energize means to raise the energy level of something. If your really boring teacher suddenly starts throwing M&Ms to every student with a correct answer, he will energize the classroom. Ever seen the Energizer Bunny––the one who "keeps going and going and going?" It's because he's energized by long-lasting batteries that he has the energy to beat that drum over and over. Someone who's feeling low on energy might be reenergized by a cat nap or a candy bar.
Vocabulary lists containing energize
"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 11
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"CLEP Principles of Management," Vocabulary from Chapter 12
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"The MGMT Solution," Vocabulary from Chapter 13
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fanbase and start this incredible journey one last time," James said on X.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
“Everyone in the ecosystem is really incented to get land and power in the hands of people who can energize it, because everyone starts to make more money when the GPUs are energized,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
When thought moves forward, it recruits the brain systems involved in learning, motivation and future planning, and this forward engagement helps energize the very physiological systems that support resilience and well-being.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
“For the Baja Blast die-hard, infused with caffeine and a refreshing boost of citrus,” Taco Bell said in a news release, “these patches energize skin and deliver cooling hydration.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026
The Court's decision was widely criticized by prosecutors and some politicians, and it seemed to energize the victims' rights movement.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Their standoff energizes the play, but this jolt of momentum comes a little too late.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Another issue that energizes Ms. Dhillon is “aggressive police consent decrees”—legally binding settlements between the Justice Department and local police departments that compel the latter to pursue or avoid certain practices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
As the hot core becomes exposed, it emits intense radiation that energizes the surrounding gas, producing the glowing shells seen in planetary nebulae such as the Helix, Stingray, and Butterfly nebulae.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2026
Soderbergh’s sleek direction pours over the viewer like smooth espresso and energizes just as much too.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2025
The song ends, I catch my breath, and I breathe in everyone’s roaring applause, I breathe in their love, and it energizes me to grab Rufus’s hand while he’s bowing.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Instead of being powered by the nuclear fusion that fuels ordinary stars, the object may consist of an extremely dense cloud of gas energized by a black hole at its center.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
The latest stock market rally has energized equity bulls but left credit investors much more wary, according to Barclays.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
"I am more energized than ever about the future we are building," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The two massive catfish have energized the fishing community at the lake, said Robert Hernandez, general manager of the park district.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
He took several deep breaths and felt energized.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
And now, upbeat earnings results are energizing software investors.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Open, her legions of Filipino fans energizing the entire tournament, even a Monday rainout final.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The mythic dimension may be missing here, but Holmes darkly captivates within the narrower compass of this energizing revival.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
“It will allow them to show that they can land a lease and execute on building and energizing capacity.”
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
John Kikulski, a rousing speaker much beloved in the Polish community, was tasked with energizing the eastern Europeans.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
