1
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
the town meeting featured a spirited debate about the proposed ban on skateboarding in the plaza downtown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement
a team known for its spirited and in-your-face basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spirited
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Heat players and coaches pointed to a spirited locker room at halftime as one of the reasons for Monday’s bounce-back victory.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Right now in America, when our discourse has gotten so crass and mean-spirited that to show the underlying kindness of this show is really resonating.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
The hearing grew tense at several turns, with Barzee getting into spirited exchanges with lawmakers on the panel.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
About the only noticeable hiccup over an otherwise spirited weekend of NCAA women’s college basketball at Golden 1 Center occurred Sunday afternoon.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Heat players and coaches pointed to a spirited locker room at halftime as one of the reasons for Monday’s bounce-back victory.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Right now in America, when our discourse has gotten so crass and mean-spirited that to show the underlying kindness of this show is really resonating.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
The hearing grew tense at several turns, with Barzee getting into spirited exchanges with lawmakers on the panel.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
-
One social media video taken from along a highway near the barracks showed the aftermath of the strike, with pieces of fiery debris scattered along the mountain range housing the barracks.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One person is dead after a fiery crash involving a tree in New Canaan on Tuesday night.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Family discussions will be lively.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
By night, Ora’s lemon-yellow booths and terrazzo-crazy paving become a lively setting for Greco-Italian chef Ettore Botrini’s accessible but accomplished menu.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Max Verstappen snatched the torch from Lewis Hamilton and became one of the most unstoppable Formula 1 drivers in the sport from 2021 to 2024.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This is the same person who cut off dribble-drives in a second-half effort that shut down Minnesota in the Sweet 16, who snatched a pass that was nearly out of bounds for a layup.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is also an affectionate, passionate day that promotes hot romance.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
O’Neal is passionate about the concept, says Lee White, head of sports at WME Sports, which represents the basketball legend.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Outside of work, Porter loves to spend time with his wife and very energetic 2 year old son.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Smith was bubbly and energetic, loved by her family and friends at Highland Park Academy, Maddox said.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For the seventh year in a row, Walmart captured more money from Charlotte-area shoppers than any other grocery store, despite intense competition from local grocers like Harris Teeter and Food Lion.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Gary Hershorn captured those same skyscrapers as the moon passed behind the spire of the Empire State Building from Union City, New Jersey, revealing more of the urban skyline as artificial and natural light teamed up to illuminate the night.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The original movie, released in 1999, starred Fraser as treasure hunter who travels to Egypt in the 1920s with a spunky librarian, played by Weisz, only to accidentally awaken a supernaturally powerful high priest.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While Robbie’s Cathy is spunky, stubborn, and independent, Elordi’s Heathcliff is brooding, desperate, and clingy.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Google suggests using the AI tools in Vids to create animated party flyers, business sizzle reels, or a video greeting card.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The popularity of the cards led to the creation of a toy line, which then spurred animated TV specials and, eventually, a TV series.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
