sport·ive | \ ˈspȯr-tiv 
\
\Definition of sportive
1a : frolicsome, playful
2 : of or relating to sports and especially field sports
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Synonyms & Antonyms for sportive
Synonyms
- antic,
- coltish,
- elfish,
- fay,
- frisky,
- frolicsome,
- larky,
- playful,
- rollicking,
- sportful
Antonyms
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Examples of sportive in a Sentence
a sportive pastor who began every sermon with a joke
Recent Examples on the Web In general, the ride quality is sportive but not punishing.
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Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, "2020 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe Is More Than Just a Beauty, It's an All-Around Charmer," 23 June 2020 Language English Font Size Small Medium Large Position Auto
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There is, from the outset, a sportive tension to the relationship between the two women.
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Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, "“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” Is More Than a “Manifesto on the Female Gaze”," 4 Mar. 2020 The path there is a sportive mash-up of fact and fiction.
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Maya Phillips, New York Times, "Review: Blood Runs Too Thick in ‘Doctors Jane and Alexander’," 7 Feb. 2020 The reader is also provided essential details about Heller’s memorial service, where to send donations, and who survives him — but even these particulars are delivered in a sportive spirit of fun-poking and wit.
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NBC News, "How to write the perfect obituary, according to professional writers," 21 Sep. 2019 This acquisition will generate economic and financial effects starting from 2018/2019 sportive season.
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SI.com, "Joao Cancelo Signs 5 Year Deal at Juventus After Agreeing €40m Switch From Valencia," 27 June 2018 There are glimpses of a version of the series that’s more sportive, less self-serious.
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James Poniewozik, New York Times, "Review: ‘Westworld’ Gets a Partial Upgrade for Season 2," 18 Apr. 2018 Examples in the show from his time in Paris include small, sportive portraits of an uncle and, from 1866, a life-size, heroically clunky one of his father reading a leftist newspaper—which the starchy patriarch would not have liked.
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Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "The Lurchingly Uneven Portraits of Paul Cézanne," 21 Feb. 2011 On South Beach, more sportive activities include beachside volleyball, basketball and soccer, glass-bottom kayaking, paddle boarding and Zorbs, in which riders enter giant inflatable balls.
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Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Royal Caribbean to give private Bahamas island massive makeover," 16 Mar. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sportive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for sportive
The first known use of sportive was in 1593
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