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
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have energizedperfect
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has energizedperfect
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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:
That light — and Los Angeles itself — continued to inspire and energize the filmmaker and artist throughout his five-plus decades of calling L.A. home, until his death last year at the age of 78.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James posted on X.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
"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
But most analysts believe that relief the war is over can further energize risk appetite.
From MarketWatch ● May 29, 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
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
“I’ve performed now for 25 years, a long time ... so honestly I’m comfortable in the circumstances now, where I can look out into an audience — in fact it energizes me, rather than weakens.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2023
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
It remains to be seen if these strategies will work—some voters will be energized; others will become fatigued by it and lose interest.
From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2026
Feeling energized, I impulsively hugged Tamika during the slow-motion impact.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
And now, upbeat earnings results are energizing software investors.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
And while the movement’s stars like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani might be the personalities energizing volunteers, the door-knocking they do is getting people elected up and down the ballot.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026
“It’s an energizing moment,” said David Galperin, a Sotheby’s specialist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 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
The colors immediately and gently flow over me, energizing me, reminding me that I can still enjoy them.
From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass
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.
