as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
the dance company has an infectious esprit that captivates audiences
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Recent Examples of esprit
This is as it should be, given the virtuosic esprit of Thallon’s performance.
—
Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
In power, their Cheka harnessed the esprit of a military-religious order of knights with the atrocious violence of a gangster hit squad.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
As hip-hop rose from an underground phenomenon to a global vernacular, that esprit—of being the best, the baddest, the most beautiful—never vanished.
—Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2021
Each outfit in the show is accompanied by a headpiece that features a corresponding term, such as esprit, vitality, and self-determination.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2021
The assembly has moved online because of the coronavirus, compounding the pandemic's blows to the city's economy and worldly esprit.
—Jennifer Peltz, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020
Longtime residents credit the company for the city’s somewhat international esprit and a level of spoken English beyond even the already-high Finnish norm (the city’s street names—Machine Alley; Adapter Street—are more unambiguous).
—Natasha Frost, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2019
College deans wanted to establish the same esprit-de-corps within houses as could be found in an exclusive fraternity, but that required engineering.
—Carla Yanni, Smithsonian, 6 Sep. 2019
Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
In power, their Cheka harnessed the esprit of a military-religious order of knights with the atrocious violence of a gangster hit squad.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
As hip-hop rose from an underground phenomenon to a global vernacular, that esprit—of being the best, the baddest, the most beautiful—never vanished.
—Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2021
Each outfit in the show is accompanied by a headpiece that features a corresponding term, such as esprit, vitality, and self-determination.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2021
The assembly has moved online because of the coronavirus, compounding the pandemic's blows to the city's economy and worldly esprit.
—Jennifer Peltz, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020
Longtime residents credit the company for the city’s somewhat international esprit and a level of spoken English beyond even the already-high Finnish norm (the city’s street names—Machine Alley; Adapter Street—are more unambiguous).
—Natasha Frost, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2019
College deans wanted to establish the same esprit-de-corps within houses as could be found in an exclusive fraternity, but that required engineering.
—Carla Yanni, Smithsonian, 6 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esprit
Noun
-
This isn’t a film about trauma, or smuggled-in social issues, or anything at all, really, besides the honest workaday business of scaring the bejesus out of its audience, rinsing, and repeating with extra vigor.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The protagonist, Theodore, is a jaded man with no vigor for life.—
Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lush, vibrant and full of life, California Tropicals instantly brightens any space while adding fresh, feel-good energy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Steady fixes protect energy for deeper pursuits.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The days of the secluded mathematician chalking up a blackboard have largely given way to a collaborative spirit as math has become increasingly technical.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Customized services from the building’s concierge available to all include events such as wine and spirits tastings that will bring neighbors together.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Under Ralf ‘Red Bull’ Rangnick, expect vertical dynamism, plus attacking gems Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Their energy, creativity and dynamism are astonishing.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Throw the pieces into a zip-top bag along with lemon (juice and slices), olive oil, a minced shallot, some Parmesan, and salt and pepper.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Strawberries, sugar, lemon, and lime juice create the base layer with the same repeated by substituting blueberries for the top layer, while the middle is an ice cream-like custard.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The federal gas tax money goes directly into the federal Highway Trust Fund, which, just like others, is gradually becoming underfunded, Hoffer said.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Nearby accommodations are often inflated during April’s festival season and those driving into the fest are also facing a recent surge in gas prices amid the ongoing war in Iran.—
Senior Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If convicted as charged, Cruz faces up to life in state prison.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Levin, typically springy, glowered as Wolf told them about how the shutdown had devastated her life.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Esprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esprit. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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