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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vivacious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vivacious are animated, gay, lively, and sprightly. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

When is animated a more appropriate choice than vivacious?

Although the words animated and vivacious have much in common, animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

Where would gay be a reasonable alternative to vivacious?

The words gay and vivacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use lively instead of vivacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to vivacious, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When could sprightly be used to replace vivacious?

The synonyms sprightly and vivacious are sometimes interchangeable, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

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 vivacious Akerman, dark-haired and vivacious, is from Colombia, born and brought up in Bogotá. Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 5 June 2025 Among a few standouts are 35-year-old Brittany, a funny and vivacious partnership executive who does not get nearly enough screen time, and Joey, a goofy 35-year-old physician associate with the Platonic Ideal of a Minnesota accent. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025 Bold, vivacious and full of promise, Venus sextile Jupiter is about to shake things up in the most exciting way! Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 June 2025 In a four-episode arc premiering Wednesday, Rodriguez will play Pietro, a vivacious and opinionated party planner hired to help Genoa City royalty Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) plot out her big birthday bash. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • That coherence is a physical, energetic property in one’s mind-body system.
    Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Both Explorer’s Lounge and the Pinnacle Bar are on the quieter side, while Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard have live music and a more energetic vibe, particularly later in the evening.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • From panel stages to comedy sets, the stories told here are layered, instructive and deeply joyful.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • Jesse, family man, civic organizer, corporate negotiator, contract hawk, and school advocate has left a role model legacy of joyful courage and positive leadership for the kids.
    Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • In February, a lively and well-attended protest march took over the streets of downtown McAllen; a news site compared it to a celebration after a high-school-football victory.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 7 July 2025
  • The music was lively, and the people were friendly.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • His personality is exuberant, empathetic, and self-obsessed.
    Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • Rarely an exuberant spirit as a filmmaker, Edwards here directs a rather mournful script by veteran pro David Koepp, the primary adapting writer on the ‘93 franchise-starter.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • The firm, which was founded three years ago by Julian Jacob, will then focus on transforming other toy brands into animated and live-action series, digital shorts, casual and mobile games, and immersive formats designed for today’s digitally native generation.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • Martinsen described Arlo as an unusually animated and communicative baby.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Thursday kickoff has effervescent Bay Area bluegrass/folk royalty Brothers Comatose alongside Paul Thorn and an after-party from the indelible North Mississippi Allstars.
    Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
  • Certainly for the running packs of coursing-dog paparazzi, the business of the weekend lay in the effervescent social mix.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • State records show that Glass House holds multiple active licenses to grow cannabis.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • These insects have been active since the end of June.
    Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nest Lychee Rose is bubblier and way more rose-forward, Kayali Sparkling Lychee has more fruit variety but less actual lychee somehow.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 8 June 2025
  • The difference is subtle, but the fine filter creates milk that's a bit bubblier than the ultrafine filter.
    Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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