Synonyms of 'active'
1 (adjective)
busy and energetic
Having an active youngster about the house can be quite wearing.Synonyms
busy
, , I'd had a busy day and was rather tired.
occupied
, I forgot about it because I was so occupied with other things.
engaged
, , the various projects he was engaged on
lively
, , lively streets full of bars and cafés
bustling
, The sidewalks are bustling with people.
restless
, He led a restless life.
on the move
, strenuous
, , Strenuous efforts have been made to improve conditions in the jail.
on the go (informal)
Opposites
2 (adjective)
busy and energetic
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical healthSynonyms
energetic
, , Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
spirited
, , He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
vital
, It is tragic to see how the disease has diminished a once vital person.
alert
, His grandfather is still alert at 93.
dynamic
, He seemed a dynamic and energetic leader.
lively
, She had a sweet, lively personality.
vigorous
, The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.
potent
, The drug is extremely potent, but can have unpleasant side-effects.
animated
, Everyone became more animated.
vibrant
, Tom was drawn to her by her vibrant personality.
forceful
, He was a man of forceful character.
nimble
, Lily, who was light and nimble on her feet, was learning to tap-dance.
diligent
, , a diligent student
sprightly
, the sprightly 85-year-old president
vivacious
, a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
on the go (informal)
, alive and kicking
, spry
, a spry old lady
full of beans (informal)
, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
Opposites
3 (adjective)
energetically involved in or working hard for
We should play an active role in politics.Synonyms
enthusiastic
, , , The band drew a huge and enthusiastic crowd.
enterprising
, , , an enterprising and hard-working young woman
aggressive
, a very competitive and aggressive executive
ambitious
, He's a very ambitious lad.
hard-working
, , militant
, , one of the most active militant groups
assertive
, , an assertive style of management
two-fisted
, zealous
, She was a zealous worker for charitable bodies.
industrious
She was an industrious and willing worker
4 (adjective)
Guerrilla groups are active in the province.
Synonyms
in operation
, The night-time curfew remains in operation.
working
, the oldest working steam engine in the world
live
, , Directors' remuneration looks set to become a live issue.
moving
, , the moving parts in the engine
functioning
, , at work
, in business
, in action
, operative
, The scheme was soon operative.
in force
, , The new tax is already in force.
Copyright © 2016 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aggressive
forceful or determined
a very competitive and aggressive executive
Synonyms
in the sense of alert
His grandfather is still alert at 93.
Video: pronunciation of 'active'
Nearby words of 'active'
Source
Thesaurus for active from the
Collins English Thesaurus