1
as in pistols
a very energetic person
the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in powerhouses
an ambitious person who eagerly goes after what is desired
that new reporter on the police beat is a real live wire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of live wires
On the other hand, the Cracker Barrel debacle touched so many live wires of American politics that the story was simply irresistible.
—
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wires
Noun
-
The company also argues that accidental firings happen with all manufacturers’ pistols.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Sometimes the last thing a bodice-ripper needs is a reminder that the characters onscreen think leeching is a helpful medical treatment or that disagreements can only be handled with dueling pistols.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His show represents one of the most significant archives of conversations with major literary powerhouses from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Three global powerhouses will call Kansas City home this summer.—
Sam McDowell
Updated February 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Live wires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wires. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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