invigorate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Usage
What does invigorate mean? To invigorate is to fill with energy or a feeling of vitality, renewal, or refreshment. Invigorate is especially used in the context of things that make people feel “alive” or renewed or refreshed physically, mentally, and emotionally. Such a state or feeling can be called vigor, which is at the root of invigorate. A close synonym is vitality. In other words, to invigorate is to fill with vigor. Someone who feels this way can be described with the adjective invigorated, as in I feel really invigorated after that long, restful weekend. Something that invigorates can be described with the adjective invigorating, as in I love an invigorating swim in the ocean. Sometimes, invigorate is applied to things other than people to mean something like stimulate or boost, as in These measures are meant to invigorate the economy. Example: Being out in the sunshine invigorates me and makes me feel alive.
Synonym Usage
See animate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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invigorationnoun
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invigoratornoun
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reinvigorationnoun
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reinvigorateverb (used with object)
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invigoratingadjective
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invigorativeadjective
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uninvigoratedadjective
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uninvigorativeadjective
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invigoratinglyadverb
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invigorativelyadverb
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uninvigorativelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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invigoratesimple
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invigoratessimple
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have invigoratedperfect
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has invigoratedperfect
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am invigoratingprogressive
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are invigoratingprogressive
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is invigoratingprogressive
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have been invigoratingperfect progressive
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has been invigoratingperfect progressive
Past
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invigoratedsimple
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had invigoratedperfect
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was invigoratingprogressive
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were invigoratingprogressive
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had been invigoratingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of invigorate
First recorded in 1640–50; in- 2 + obsolete vigorate “invigorated”; see vigor, -ate 1
Explanation
Invigorate means to give strength or energy to something or someone. If you're the new cheerleading coach, you can invigorate the team by bringing them your exciting new cheers, and the team’s growing popularity will invigorate them even more. When you invigorate someone, you inspire, you breathe life into them. One of the best ways to invigorate another person is with your own enthusiasm — when you're animated and energetic, it seems to rub off on others. You might need to invigorate yourself when you first wake up in the morning, with a cup of coffee or a shower to get you going for the day. The word invigorate comes from the Latin in, "toward" and vigorare "make strong."
Vocabulary lists containing invigorate
Fahrenheit 451
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George Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
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The Princess Bride
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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:
In sum, it all sounds less like a good-faith effort to invigorate a vital newsmagazine for modern times—and more like an effort to have it fall apart, piece by piece.
From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2026
The bank’s broader AI basket, meanwhile, is showing “a sharp pickup in anticipated growth dominance in 2026 which we think has helped to invigorate the AI theme even more in recent trading.”
From Barron's ● May 8, 2026
That will invigorate the market for reinvestment in these shattered communities.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2025
Do use pops of color to energize or invigorate a space.
From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2024
Chaos agitated me, but it seemed to invigorate Barack.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
This critic is all for so-called color-blind casting; in addition to promoting employment, it invigorates the work.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025
“It really invigorates audiences’ senses — not just momentarily for the purpose of entertainment.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2023
He wrote that contrology “develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit.”
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2023
As the project progresses, the aroma of sawdust still invigorates me, and I must say, I do miss wearing my tool belt rig all day long while building a new house.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2022
This not only softens and imparts a gloss to the hair, but also invigorates and strengthens the roots of the hair.
From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous
The ongoing data-center build-out has invigorated new product cycles and pricing power for these businesses.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 28, 2026
He emerged as the leader of an invigorated opposition, leading it to its strongest-ever performance in the 2013 elections.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2025
And now that he’s out of the picture, with his shortcomings burning in public recollection, those two ideologies are more invigorated than ever.
From Slate ● Oct. 10, 2025
We pushed each other to try things that scared us both, things that left us breathless, bruised and invigorated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2025
He felt his soreness disappear and his muscles become invigorated.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
“The mistake was natural, for most men recoil from war and the danger it entails. Washington was one who didn’t. He was part of the small class who find war invigorating and seductive.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
It was invigorating to think of the impact we could have by putting a new narrative out there, helping people feel less alone and find the support they need.
From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2026
So how, he asked, can that be done, “in a way that feels invigorating and hopeful?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026
The treatment takes place on a heated marble table inside the hammam and begins with a thorough cleansing before moving into an invigorating exfoliating scrub.
From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026
When Ana returned from Seatown, her cheeks were blooming with what Lady Isobel described as the invigorating sea air.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
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.
