1
as in pistol
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 powerhouse
an ambitious person who eagerly goes after what is desired
that new reporter on the police beat is a real live wire
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of live wire
Lucid Motors touches a lot of live wires in the 2025 economy: chips, AI, tariffs, industrial manufacturing, luxury spending, consumers’ views on Elon Musk, and the burgeoning but complicated ties between the US and the Gulf.
—
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
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
New to the group to fill the vacancy is Joyce (Imrie), a delightful live wire eager to participate.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025
Moreover, the live wire demonstrated leadership qualities throughout the 17-day tournament.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 Sep. 2025
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
New to the group to fill the vacancy is Joyce (Imrie), a delightful live wire eager to participate.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2025
Moreover, the live wire demonstrated leadership qualities throughout the 17-day tournament.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wire
Noun
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Investigators also found eight 9 mm casings fired from a Glock pistol at the scene where Holmes was killed, according to the affidavit.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
At issue is whether the police search of Mangione's backpack was legal as officers went on to find a pistol, silencer and notebook inside.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Since then, Qatar has come to play the most prominent role in mediating between warring countries and factions within countries, willing itself into a mediation powerhouse spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Wallace's Indianapolis show will honor powerhouses Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Senior safety/outside linebacker Elian Oliva, an Air Force commit, was a dynamo.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Shaina Taub is the multi-hyphenate dynamo responsible for the show’s book, music and lyrics, in a production that has gone through some critical growth since its original off-Broadway run.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wire. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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