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vitalize

/ˌvaɪdlˈaɪz/
IPA guide

Other forms: vitalized; vitalizing; vitalizes

To vitalize is to enliven or excite. There's nothing like a good night's sleep to vitalize a tired child.

You can use the verb vitalize to describe what happens when you become energized or perked up: "My tai chi class isn't great exercise, but it does vitalize me." A much more common, and related, word is revitalize. For some reason, vitalize is rarely used, although it's much older, first used in the 1670's, while revitalize didn't come into use until 1858 — almost two hundred years later.

Definitions of vitalize
  1. verb
    make more lively or vigorous
    “The treatment at the spa vitalized the old man”
    synonyms: vitalise
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    devitalize
    sap of life or energy
    type of:
    beef up, fortify, strengthen
    make strong or stronger
  2. verb
    give life to
    “The eggs are vitalized
    synonyms: vitalise
    see moresee less
    type of:
    alter, change, modify
    cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘vitalize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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