high-spirited

adjective

ˈhī-ˈspir-ə-təd How to pronounce high-spirited (audio)
Definition of high-spiritednext
1
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained a high-spirited crowd loudly cheering the basketball team on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spirited
marked by a lively display of strong feeling the band struck up a high-spirited march as the President's motorcade approached

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-spirited
  1. joyful
  2. spirited
  3. exuberant
  4. fiery
  5. lively
  6. spunky
  7. vivacious
  8. passionate
Adjective
  • The poem depicts writing as a joyful quest for enlightenment, of transforming darkness into light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • The second half brought a different tone to the joyful opening 45 minutes.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of joyful
Adjective
  • But as soon as Rena Owen comes to the fore as Tala, Moana’s spirited grandmother (an elderly rebel who’s going to set this tale in motion), her playful aging-hippie spark connects.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • Off a counterattack following an Argentina corner, Mo Salah made a spirited run down the middle of the pitch.
    — NBC News, NBC news, 7 July 2026
Definition of spirited
Adjective
  • In the 2003 film, the Dan Band’s sweaty, inappropriately exuberant version of the ’80s power ballad upstages Will Ferrell’s wedding.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The film appears to mark a departure from Impacciatore’s recent roles that are imbued in her goofy, exuberant persona.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2026
Definition of exuberant
Adjective
  • New research, however, suggests our planet has a better chance of escaping that fiery end than previously thought.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
  • That precocious talent combines with her naturally confident disposition to create one fiery competitor.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • Set the scene Morea House’s contemporary, angular facade faces right out onto the beach from where the lively V&A Waterfront is a 20-minute drive north, with Sea Point, another popular stretch of seafront, just 11 minutes away by car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Known for its sprawling waterfront cottages and lively social scene, Muskoka sets the stage as relationships, careers, and personal lives collide.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • An antiheroic smuggler, a spunky princess and a farmboy with big dreams.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Jasmine is spunky, intelligent, bored with the whole royalty scene, and able to take care of herself.
    — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026
Definition of spunky
Adjective
  • Astrologically, this is happening while both Luna and Venus journey through the dazzling and vivacious sign of Leo, making this cosmic close-up all the more fitting when considering this Fire sign’s majestic archetype.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of vivacious
Adjective
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Mexico’s passionate fans blasted horns outside the England hotel to disrupt players’ sleep, and the start of the match was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm.
    — Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of passionate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

high-speed
high-spirited
high-spiritedly
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Cite this Entry

“High-spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-spirited. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on high-spirited

Nglish: Translation of high-spirited for Spanish Speakers

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