1
as in pistols
a very energetic person
the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Brown was sitting in a white BMW that Fluker and Westbrook allegedly followed to a store near Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, before opening fire with two pistols and a rifle, authorities say.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
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In one recent prosecution, the Department of Justice charged a father-son duo with attempting to drive more than 300 rifles and pistols, plus ammunition and magazines, over the Mexican border.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His many credits include performances with the New York Philharmonic, pioneering minimalist composer Philip Glass, genre-blurring singer Cecile McLorin Salvant and such past and present jazz powerhouses as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath and Wynton and Branford Marsalis.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Home of powerhouses like Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Marni (just to name a few), the city has long set the tone for a distinctly Italian brand of glamour–sensual, sophisticated, and just a touch of daring.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Live wires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wires. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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