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
That'd essentially be a live wire, said Mark Goldstein, a Wisconsin attorney for Goldstein Law Group S.C., which specializes in employment and corporate law.
—
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Critics after the screening agreed that when given a character perfectly tailored to his strengths (cocky sincerity, charismatic twerpiness), Timmy is a live wire.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Harry is suing the tabloid's publisher, Associated Newspapers, on allegations that include phone hacking and live wire tapping of calls.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 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
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Critics after the screening agreed that when given a character perfectly tailored to his strengths (cocky sincerity, charismatic twerpiness), Timmy is a live wire.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Harry is suing the tabloid's publisher, Associated Newspapers, on allegations that include phone hacking and live wire tapping of calls.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 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
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wire
Noun
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According to federal authorities, Morales Tejada in October 2023 was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit and first-degree failure to appear.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Smith’s waders started to fill with water, and the pistol strapped to his chest felt like a weight pulling him under.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The much anticipated showdown between powerhouses Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon will happen on Tuesday night at Etiwanda in the Southern Section Open Division semifinals.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Hong Kong’s Mighty Mini-Island Cheung Chau, the pint-sized powerhouse of an island, punches well above its weight in charm and chill vibes.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 5-foot-11, 209-pound dynamo features breakaway speed, vision and good hands.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This process, called the solar dynamo, operates deep below the surface.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wire. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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