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
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
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
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
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frolicsome
Adjective
-
Former keepers who visited on May 13 said the 2-year-old has bonded with surrogate mother Fredrika and developed a playful, mischievous personality.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
Travis came up with the playful name, which was inspired by the city's cold winters.—
Jori Parys,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The service The staff are gentle but also fun, witty and joyful, such as Rini, who can answer almost any question on Bawah; Nintya who handles landscaping and permaculture; and the waiter Julian, who likes to practice his English accent.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Pride Month is both a joyful celebration and a serious political reminder that LGBTQIA people are here and deserve the same rights as everyone else.—
Allison Hope,
Parents,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Fairmont draws a diverse crowd—from business travelers to couples celebrating anniversaries, to casual visitors—creating a lively but laid-back atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
The blueberry layer brings deep sweetness and vibrant color, while Meyer lemon adds a floral brightness that keeps the parfaits tasting fresh and lively.—
Laura Mclively,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
From courtside catchphrases to his podcast and decades on Bulls broadcasts, King became a unifying, exuberant voice for generations of Chicago basketball fans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Nearly 50 years after Elvis Presley 's death, a gaggle of exuberant young boys and teens shook up his hometown, intent on keeping the king's legacy alive for a new generation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Costume designer Shirley Kurata uses texture, detail, and vivacious colors to create elaborate artworks that the hair and makeup department has complemented with aplomb, creating visually arresting results.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
-
Erica was a happy, bubbly and vivacious child who frequently went to church with her mother and loved Barney & Friends, Harrison said.—
Caroline Zimmerman
May 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Today, Nakonechna is quick-witted and effervescent, her laughter loud and sudden.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
-
In late April, a group of women with jangly earrings and effervescent energy sat in a beer garden in San Antonio with plastic cups of red wine in front of them.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driven by looming patent cliffs, newly buoyant public markets, and Big Pharma’s race to beef up their pipelines, dealmaking so far in 2026 amounted to $106 billion over 201 deals, according to PitchBook data.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The early signs are not encouraging, despite a buoyant stock market.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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