feisty

adjective

ˈfī-stē How to pronounce feisty (audio)
Definition of feistynext
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight a feisty hockey player who has spent more than his share of time in the penalty box

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 feisty Franklin had a reputation as one of the feistiest juniors in the country, a brat with a big ego and a big mouth. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Millions of sons and daughters and their families still benefit from the feisty labor leader's achievements. — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Upton Stout was arguably the 49ers’ top defender last season as a feisty rookie in the slot. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 July 2026 Boys with their toys, thought The Times’ feisty critic Isabelle Morse Jones. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for feisty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feisty
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
Adjective
  • Cramer also pointed to Abercrombie's aggressive share repurchases as another boost to earnings per share.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, being aggressive in what was a must-win series finale against the Washington Nationals, chose to go to his bullpen early.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • That 2023 event saw Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups kill 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and abduct 251 people.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In early September, 1972, a Palestinian militant group called Black September infiltrated the Olympic Games in Munich and killed eleven Israeli athletes.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Gonzalez appeared at a contentious July congressional hearing in which the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History director, Anthea Hartig, was grilled on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programming.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Arsenal looks to repeat last season’s championship run, and their contentious loss to PSG in the Champions League final could serve as further incentive for Mikel Arteta’s squad to run riot.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentious

Browse Nearby Words

feistiness
feisty
felicific
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Cite this Entry

“Feisty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feisty. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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