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
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Sawgrass Mills is playful and even a little zany, so that amid all those bargain outlet stores, there’s a sense of adventure.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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Parker and his team wanted a sense of heart conveyed through the playful, tuneful, unpolished score.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Wearing a pom pom hat and mittens and shovel in hand, a smiling Michelle Wu is trying to convince residents that the massive snow mounds plaguing city streets are not a bad thing, but a joyful experience.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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The monks who had first built Gabriel College had been dead six centuries, but still the bell tower rang out the joyful and thunderous pattern of their days, matins to compline.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Calle Cerra brings together multiple food and drink concepts in one lively stretch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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From Erdem’s anniversary show to a slew of energetic debuts and a surprise appearance from His Majesty the King, this London Fashion Week (LFW) was particularly lively for a February edition.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Advertisement The only word to describe Liu’s skate is exuberant.—
Alice Park,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
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The single is accompanied by a fun, dramatic, and exuberant video — filmed in Miami — that shows Castro and the members of Bajofondo in glam rock like never before.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The jams quickly began to draw both a vivacious crowd of listeners and a core group of budding jazz musicians.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Like a real effervescent personality.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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Upon first sniff you’re met with a bright, effervescent citrus-meets-floral scent with a sparkly element.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Tasters kept coming back to it for its delicate balance of light and buoyant tang with creamy and decadent texture.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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Their mood during the call was buoyant.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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