quicken

/ˈkwɪkən/
verb
  1. To become faster or to make something happen faster.
    • We need to quicken the production process to meet the deadline.
    • His heartbeat quickened when he heard the good news.
    • The runner quickened her pace as she approached the finish line.
  2. To make something more active, lively, or intense.
    • The arrival of spring quickens the spirits of everyone in the town.
    • A good mystery story can quicken the reader's imagination.
    • The teacher used games to quicken the students' interest in history.