energize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to give energy to; rouse into activity.
to energize the spirit with brave words.
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to supply electrical current to or store electrical energy in.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to have or cause to have energy; invigorate
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(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
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energizesimple
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energizessimple
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have energizedperfect
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has energizedperfect
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am energizingprogressive
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are energizingprogressive
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is energizingprogressive
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have been energizingperfect progressive
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has been energizingperfect progressive
Past
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energizedsimple
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had energizedperfect
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was energizingprogressive
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were energizingprogressive
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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:
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
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
The race has become a test of strategy: Crockett argues her combative style will energize turnout, while Talarico presents himself as a bridge to moderates and disaffected Republicans.
From Barron's ● Mar. 3, 2026
Meanwhile, if announcements at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show “are construed as bullish ‘buy the news’ type events,” that could further energize investors, according to Klein.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 5, 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
In photochemistry, light energizes the catalyst, and the excited catalyst must encounter another molecule through diffusion in order to pass along an electron.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 26, 2025
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
Renewed Middle East tensions come after the hot memory-chip trade that had energized markets all year has already lost momentum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Thurston, recently back from a visit to China and meetings with companies, was energized by what she saw.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
An energized Mayor Karen Bass galvanized crowds of labor union workers sporting union merch Saturday.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
But Talarico, a former middle school teacher and seminarian, has energized Democrats, who hope that record-setting campaign fundraising could help flip the seat.
From Salon ● May 30, 2026
He seemed unusually, almost exaggeratedly, energized, and gave me an impetuous tickle from behind as he passed, which was out of character.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
What they are is addictive, catchy, energizing and undeniable.
From Salon ● Apr. 4, 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
After teammate Brandon Williams made an energizing block at the rim, triggering a fast break, Perry found Skyy Clark for a three-pointer that extended the Bruins’ advantage to double digits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
There’s such a tenderness in returning to something you built—it’s equal parts humbling and energizing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
The smoke must have had the same energizing effect on the water monster, who stood firmly on his legs.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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.
