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 Though to the credit of the series and especially Dana’s feisty performance, Zorro makes some effort. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 Its empress was feisty, focused on making money and completely uninterested in the emperor. — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026 The feisty Norwegian does turn 39 in September. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 23 June 2026 That team spirit will be tested against the Socceroos later today in what is expected to be a feisty, physical affair after what went down the last time these two teams played. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for feisty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feisty
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
Adjective
  • The fire department said firefighters quickly went into defensive mode because the flames were so aggressive.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Starting the playoffs in the wild-card round reduces the World Series odds that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has repeatedly cited as a factor in how aggressive a front office should be at the trade deadline.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.
    — Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • In the meantime, the deadly encounter has reignited a contentious debate about body cameras, one that has long vexed local officials and pitted some of the city’s progressive groups against each other.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • Now its rise is intensifying an already contentious race between the US and China to dominate cutting-edge AI.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on feisty

Nglish: Translation of feisty for Spanish Speakers

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