1
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
we indulgently listened to the senior citizens share memories of long-ago frolics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in spree
a time or instance of carefree fun
took the long weekend as a three-day frolic and spent it at the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
firmly believes that childhood should be a time of carefree frolic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
the frolic atmosphere that envelops New Orleans during Mardi Gras
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cavort
to play and run about happily
scores of swimmers were frolicking in the ocean surf along the beach
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
he would rather frolic than do yard work any day of the week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frolic
Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Right frolics—forward, backward, sideways, in a spiral or a zigzag, going nowhere.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 31 July 2025
Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2024
Parent heaven: a place to hang out under shade trees while the little ones frolic.
—Sarah Shemkus, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
Used primarily as an office building, its ornate design, carvings and sculptures — including a ground floor fountain with frolicking bronze youths — hadn’t invited much public attention or appreciation.
—Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frolic
Noun
With an almost modern-day Charlie Chaplin-esque physicality, Moss dances, contorts, and frolics amongst the shoes, their boxes, and fixtures in the store for a mesmerizing, can't-look-away effect.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Right frolics—forward, backward, sideways, in a spiral or a zigzag, going nowhere.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 31 July 2025
Adjective
Pods of porpoises frolic, and a playful minke whale shimmers in the afternoon sun.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2024
Parent heaven: a place to hang out under shade trees while the little ones frolic.
—Sarah Shemkus, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
Verb
The trucks hauling the snow frolicked in the water, sending dirty gray ripples toward me.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
Used primarily as an office building, its ornate design, carvings and sculptures — including a ground floor fountain with frolicking bronze youths — hadn’t invited much public attention or appreciation.
—Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frolic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frolic
Noun
-
Like anything, our pranks revolved around the zeitgeist of the time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The series will see the students at Hartley High preparing for graduation and impending adulthood, but when a revenge prank goes wrong, lead character Amerie (Ayesha Madon) and her friends are forced to cover up their secret or risk losing everything.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One night just before Christmas in 2011, two local men set the club on fire after going on a crime spree in town, according to court documents.—
Dave Altimari,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In Lahore, though, the provincial government did a heavy promotional spree for Basant, with the face of the chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, appearing on billboards around the city.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The outdoor relaxation area boasts an antique sugar copper fountain and lush gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The food, the fireplace, the drink, the company, the relaxation — even non-skiers can appreciate a moveable feast of the senses, and the scene.—
David G. Allan Feb 15,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Audiences love watching the show’s staff pack the hallway and belt out a familiar tune with lyrics rewritten especially for the guest, sending them onto the soundstage in the most personal, joyful way possible.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
-
If the past few seasons were dominated by quiet luxury, spring 2026 is about embracing joyful details.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Andy Samberg cavorted on behalf of Hellmann’s mayonnaise, dressed as some sort of off-kilter Neil Diamond wanna-be.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Gabriel Martinelli was next on the scene, then Jurrien Timber, who was followed by a jubilant William Saliba, cavorting like a hyperactive toddler.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rafaela played several positions for the Red Sox and subbed in games in later innings before making his first career start, at Bogaerts’ old spot.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Ayton competes internationally for the Bahamas, last playing for the national team during the 2024 Olympic qualifying process.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Paul Jebara writes about travel through the lenses of culture, design, and adventure as a regular contributor to .—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
On Thursday, Canadian animation was represented by three projects in various development stages, ranging from family-friendly adventure and adult animation to Medieval fantasy with a vintage twist.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Purists should go into it expecting not a faithful adaptation, but a romp best enjoyed as romantasy fanfic.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Now McGee, too, is back with a crime drama—one bound to earn comparisons to Sharon Horgan’s post-Catastrophe murder romp, Bad Sisters.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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