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
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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:
"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
Unlike recent contests to lead the nation’s most populous state, this year’s gubernatorial contest failed to energize the electorate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026
But most analysts believe that relief the war is over can further energize risk appetite.
From MarketWatch ● May 29, 2026
It sidesteps what people at my age know: that as time goes by, we lose many of the connections that once helped energize our younger selves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026
“My mother packed it for me. But that’s a good idea—we should find an Indian grocer. Stock up on some of our favorite snacks to energize us while we write.”
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
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
Soderbergh’s sleek direction pours over the viewer like smooth espresso and energizes just as much too.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2025
The common auroras are produced when the solar wind energizes particles in Earth's magnetosphere, often at altitudes higher than 1,000 kilometers above the surface.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2023
“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
Induction happens when electromagnetic fields cause power on energized lines to jump to nearby idle equipment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
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
While Susan B. Anthony was becoming energized to begin working for women’s rights, Elizabeth Cady Stanton had less time for reform work as her family demands increased.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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
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
Crockett, a 44-year-old African-American lawyer, argues the party needs a fighter capable of energizing turnout and commanding attention through sharp, viral exchanges with Republicans.
From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026
I trudged through the still unshoveled sidewalks with the song energizing my every step.
From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks
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.
