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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of spirited
Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
Studt recommends heading over to one of Palm Beach County’s larger nature preserves, such as Cypress Creek Natural Area in Jupiter or Loxahatchee Slough in Palm Beach Gardens, to catch a glimpse of the spirited flocks.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Sellout crowds and a spirited students section earned accolades across the country, encouraging the NCAA shot-callers to keep San Diego in the rotation.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves directed the show with an eye toward brilliance of color and vigor of movement; Viviana Goodwin and Justin Austin led a spirited cast, with Kedrick Armstrong conducting and Damien Sneed handling the arrangements.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
Under spirited sprints around the Algarve region’s sinewy mountain roads, the range depletion wasn’t terrible, losing about 20 or 25 percent after 90 miles of pushing.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
Studt recommends heading over to one of Palm Beach County’s larger nature preserves, such as Cypress Creek Natural Area in Jupiter or Loxahatchee Slough in Palm Beach Gardens, to catch a glimpse of the spirited flocks.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Sellout crowds and a spirited students section earned accolades across the country, encouraging the NCAA shot-callers to keep San Diego in the rotation.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves directed the show with an eye toward brilliance of color and vigor of movement; Viviana Goodwin and Justin Austin led a spirited cast, with Kedrick Armstrong conducting and Damien Sneed handling the arrangements.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
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If left alone, the spacecraft will lose the race later this year and fall out of orbit, bringing a fiery end to its long scientific tenure.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
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This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Participants are able to create a schedule for themselves that supports more solo contemplative space or lively group experiences.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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South Elgin’s protest was just as lively.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
Malinin, at the post-skate press conference following his world title victory, made his thoughts known in a passionate plea to the ISU (International Skating Union).—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
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Fans are going to be passionate.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those two youngsters happen to be a happily engaged, and happily naive, couple, and the series plays out exploring the dynamics between the two relationships, one young, loving and energetic, the other old, tired and toxic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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To support the flight, there has been a sharpening of space weather forecasting skills — an ability to better gauge the sun's activity and to help assure crew safety if a hazardous uptick in solar action rears its energetic head.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Abril was captured after a 33-hour manhunt.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Along with the album cover, the shared a new black and white portrait of himself, captured by daughter Mary McCartney.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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The animated film about a teenager who becomes a beaver to save her animal friends from a freeway construction project pulled in $88 million globally, including $46 million in North America.—
G. Allen Johnson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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