1
as in playful
given to good-natured joking or teasing
a frolicsome uncle who was a favorite among his relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
teachers smiling at the frolicsome students leaving school for summer vacation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of frolicsome
These wall drawings—at the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, Maine, in 2024; the Art Institute of Chicago, in 2025; and Houston’s Menil Collection, in 2025—were all temporary, like frolicsome mirages.
—
Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The vitality of her language, its frolicsome dance with personification, communicates its own resistance in the face of an indifferent world, exploited by imperialist greed and barbaric, militant might.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The show starts frolicsome and then morphs into a farce that grows more than a little hellish, NPR critic John Powers writes.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 May 2026
On April 4, Ogden will take part in the frolicsome, 100 percent amateur Nordic X race at the tiny Cochran’s Ski Area in Vermont.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Known for her glamorous pursuits and doomed affairs, Princess Margaret has gone down in history as the frolicsome foil to her ever poised and solemn sister, Queen Elizabeth II.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Ah, but in the decades that Kernan spent meticulously researching this biography, a filmed version of the play was turned up, so admirers of Schuyler can now behold the young, frolicsome incarnations of him, O’Hara, and Freilicher, among others, in footage shot during two weeks in the Hamptons.
—Dan Chiasson, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Even Bauman’s funniest musical bits get swallowed in the show’s frothy, frolicsome relentlessness.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
The vitality of her language, its frolicsome dance with personification, communicates its own resistance in the face of an indifferent world, exploited by imperialist greed and barbaric, militant might.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The show starts frolicsome and then morphs into a farce that grows more than a little hellish, NPR critic John Powers writes.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 May 2026
On April 4, Ogden will take part in the frolicsome, 100 percent amateur Nordic X race at the tiny Cochran’s Ski Area in Vermont.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Known for her glamorous pursuits and doomed affairs, Princess Margaret has gone down in history as the frolicsome foil to her ever poised and solemn sister, Queen Elizabeth II.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Ah, but in the decades that Kernan spent meticulously researching this biography, a filmed version of the play was turned up, so admirers of Schuyler can now behold the young, frolicsome incarnations of him, O’Hara, and Freilicher, among others, in footage shot during two weeks in the Hamptons.
—Dan Chiasson, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Even Bauman’s funniest musical bits get swallowed in the show’s frothy, frolicsome relentlessness.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frolicsome
Adjective
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The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.—
Sarah DiMuro,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
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Beaded sandals, in particular, strike a balance between statement-making and approachable, offering the same playful energy as the season’s beaded jewelry and bags without requiring a complete wardrobe overhaul.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
Adjective
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Sweet orange and tangerine in particular are showing up as accessible, joyful entry points for anyone who wants a scent that does a little extra work.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
As my character waited, the mood was joyful.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Similarly, the lively Doyles Irish Pub serves classic pub fare such as wings, a Reuben sandwich, and fish and chips.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
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In the evening, Banff’s newest late-night spot, The Dusty Boot Saloon, channels cowboy country motifs through nostalgic saloon energy and a lively dance hall, stage for live music and hidden lounges.—
Kristin Braswell,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Adjective
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The warning that exuberant investors might not be quite rational sent temporary shivers through global stock markets.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
22 June 2026
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Rosie Randisi Presiding over one end of the resort’s iconic, 140-foot freshwater pool, the spa enjoys pride of place within the exuberant greenery of the 32-acre estate in the island’s pastoral north, far removed from Ibiza’s nightlife reputation.—
Alexandra Kirkman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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For those who want to bring their furry friends along, head to Bonita Beach Dog Park, a dog-friendly, off-leash tidal flat where pups can roam freely and frolic in the shallow waters.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
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But today, beachgoers continue to stroll, sunbathe and frolic buck naked on that stretch of sand, in defiance of the law.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What happens when a vivacious, perky, wannabe actress moves across the hall from two Caltech physicists whose idea of a big Saturday night is a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons?—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
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On June 17, vivacious Venus will clash with Pluto retrograde, creating tension around passion, power and rage.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Adjective
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This effervescent combination of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine is the ultimate patio sipper.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
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The space itself is decked out with giant round light fixtures and orbs that are nearly effervescent, a fitting reflection of the bar's Champagne-forward drinks program.—
Tanya Edwards,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Earthfoam’s Organic Mattress is a smart pick for anyone who wants a more eco-friendly mattress with a buoyant latex feel.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
11 June 2026
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In March, during their final match in Uzbekistan before the World Cup, the atmosphere was loud, buoyant and joyous.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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