kinetic

adjective

kə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce kinetic (audio)
Definition of kineticnext
1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement the novel's plot is kinetic and fast-paced, and its effect on the reader is much like that of a surfeit of caffeine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity the loft district is the locus of the city's kinetic arts scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of kinetic Moreover, large mammals reuse significant shares of energy spent running, because a part of the kinetic and potential energy deployed to run is temporarily stored as elastic strain in muscles and tendons and redeployed as elastic recoil. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 Israeli artist Yaacov Agam, known for his optical and kinetic artworks, has died at 98. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 June 2026 Onboard mechanical systems convert the kinetic movement of waves into a steady supply of electricity, establishing a continuous power source that functions independently of weather-dependent terrestrial renewables like solar or wind. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026 Force is generated through the hips before travelling through the thigh, knee and lower leg, creating what sports scientists refer to as a kinetic chain. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kinetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kinetic
  1. energetic
  2. buzzing
  3. animated
  4. busy
  5. lively
  6. vibrant
  7. active
  8. brisk
Adjective
  • Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
  • Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Scott Usheroff The wine scene has evolved from hobby industry to a buzzing, blooming viticulture scene.
    — Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The device will completely block the ear canal and cause a low buzzing noise that makes drifting off hard.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of buzzing
Adjective
  • The animated film, made with a budget between $150 million and $200 million, has earned upward of $763 million globally less than a month after its release.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The Rick and Morty world is one of the most involved animated series ever created and obviously takes up a lot of brain power to pull together.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • The Pierside in Santa Monica has been exceptionally busy during the World Cup, with many tourists opting to stay near the beach despite the longer trek to SoFi Stadium where the games are held.
    — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Journey actually has a live stream of the beach in one of the community areas, which is a good way to check how busy the beaches are before heading out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Definition of busy
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
  • But while the actor has been known to dabble in more neutral hues of the shimmering effect, this new shade is a vibrant, vinegary departure.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 9 July 2026
  • Wacky animal sidekicks once felt vibrant in a holistic world of artifice; here, a goggle-eyed rooster just looks diseased.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of vibrant
Adjective
  • Despite these complexities, active carriers maintain powerful air wings with F/A-18 Super Hornets and other advanced aircraft.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • This Eytino bikini set is comfortable and athletic enough for a long, active day at the beach.
    — Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of active
Adjective
  • The vineyard is the site of a Christmas tree farm, and tends to be crisp and brisk, like the resulting wines.
    — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
  • There are brisk 7am forest walks, group yoga, breath work, and a class on Lanserhof healing exercises, which combine stretching, tapping, and movement.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

kinds
kinetic
kinfolk
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Kinetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kinetic. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kinetic

Nglish: Translation of kinetic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All