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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Recent Examples of frolicsome
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
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
On their first tour together in six years, Springsteen, 73, was physical and frolicsome, his taut face routinely enveloped in a smile, while his dynamic 18-member band helped take his songs, some of them nearly 50 years old, to new heights.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
But back in the aughts, before Ganni's frolicsome offering of poplin collared dresses and knee-high chelsea boots became an unofficial uniform for western women in their mid-twenties and beyond, the company dealt exclusively in cashmere.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
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
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
On their first tour together in six years, Springsteen, 73, was physical and frolicsome, his taut face routinely enveloped in a smile, while his dynamic 18-member band helped take his songs, some of them nearly 50 years old, to new heights.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
But back in the aughts, before Ganni's frolicsome offering of poplin collared dresses and knee-high chelsea boots became an unofficial uniform for western women in their mid-twenties and beyond, the company dealt exclusively in cashmere.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frolicsome
Adjective
-
When the worst-case scenario of overindulging was losing an afternoon or buying too many snacks, the genre could stretch that experience into something playful and surreal.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The bar puts playful twists on classic cocktails, offering things like a tahini old fashioned ($20), complementing the cocktail’s gentle sweetness with a nutty note.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Led by Wendy Haddock, an artist and movement educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, this joyful class encourages creativity, confidence, and well-being through movement.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Celebration, which invites you to engage in joyful self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The lively, spirited daughter of an Afghani immigrant family chafes against the traditional values of her family and immigrant community.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Today, Salado’s historic roots blend with a lively creative scene.—
Lauren Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The color palette for Denim Virals is more exuberant and youthful with lilac purples, high-visibility pink, limeade and orange.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Warm wood and rattan are juxtaposed with exuberant patterns (think scalloped headboards), and swaths of mirror and brass, eliciting a glamorous but grounded ambiance.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
-
Alongside her, child actors dance and frolic with shadow puppetry in the land of make-believe, where youths go on adventures and learn math, science and reading skills.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Noblezada stepped into the role of the tragically vivacious nightclub singer Sally Bowles, but rather than playing her unlikely lover Cliff, Carney was cast as the impishly sinister Emcee of the Kit Kat Club.—
Carey Purcell,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
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The summer season calendar is kicking off with a pair of regal indie psych rock acts in Unknown Mortal Orchestra (May 22) and the vivacious Allah-Las returning to the venue for the second year in a row with Mapache’s Sam Blasucci (May 31).—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Born from the embers of the eighties band Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, led by the singer and guitarist Amelia Fletcher, shuffled forward with her riffy, effervescent playing style, gradually growing more sophisticated across four LPs and an EP, without any loss of buoyancy.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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But upstairs, that's where guests will be treated to a refined multi-course tasting menu that aims to show off Weeks' classical training, evident in a menu that is effervescent with Southern and Creole flavors, polished off with a bit of French finesse.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His voice was in its usual form, bright and buoyant, but with a new heaviness that has creeped in with age.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Numerous cycles later, these remain as buoyant as ever.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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