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
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
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
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
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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This is the kind of duo that could work for the office or dressy weddings alike; the addition of playful accessories helps keep the ensemble from looking too severe, which is perfect for dinner dates or a night at the theater.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
4 May 2026
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Much of that playful approach is apparent visually through various uses of multimedia.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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In that derelict playground, Lucy reminisces about her hippie youth, then spins in joyful abandon on a rusty carrousel.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Spring clearly has Reese Witherspoon in a joyful mood.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Tollgate, a pub frequented by hundreds of United supporters on matchdays, is lively even two and a half hours before kick-off.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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That was until this Dutch upstart with his European aesthetic, lively and colorful stores and eye-popping marketing campaigns began to chisel away at their market share.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The most exuberant farewell event—a dance party at the White House—took place on January 6th.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Hothouse The most exuberant of the three new Michaels decor collections, Hothouse leans into the trends of dopamine decor and maximalism, with a particular focus on tropical prints and dramatic floral motifs.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 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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Both Angela Ingersoll, who played the ever-hopeful Sally, and Michelle Duffy, as the cynical realist Phyllis, pulsed with vivacious energy, playing across from Rapp’s sardonic take on wound-tight Ben and Wallem’s deeply sad exploration of Buddy.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
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The Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale, on the other hand, is deliciously bitter with tiny, effervescent bubbles that never overwhelm your palate.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
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Just smile, be more bubbly and effervescent.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The buoyant hue has a fresh and airy feel, promoting clarity of mind, creativity, and emotional harmony.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The bold plan Compared to offshore wind farms drilled into the seabed, floating wind farms use buoyant platforms that float on the water’s surface, secured by a complex system of mooring lines and anchors.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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