as in playfully
in a quick and spirited manner
now then, step lively there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the lively puppy was racing around the dining room floor chasing after people's shoelaces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vibrant
marked by much life, movement, or activity
the party was a lively affair that lasted into the small hours of the morning
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 lively
Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Music comes through with clean highs and enough bass to keep things lively at everyday listening levels.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
With a home crowd fired up for its first SEC home game and kids back from school break, the environment should be lively.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lively
Adverb
His disdain for Christmas is no match for visits from enchanting ghosts, a lively ensemble of characters, and the music of the season.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Music comes through with clean highs and enough bass to keep things lively at everyday listening levels.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Nevertheless, Smith, 27, still had the last laugh courtesy of a 25th-minute strike on the half-volley made all the more impressive by how Matt Clarke was attempting to manhandle the forward to the ground as the cross from the equally lively Nathan Broadhead came in.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
With a home crowd fired up for its first SEC home game and kids back from school break, the environment should be lively.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lively
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lively
Adverb
-
Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Dillon playfully shouted back to her.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether that’s stand in the pocket, whether that’s run, whether that’s scramble, whether that’s hand the ball off 30 times and be energetic about it.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
With their vibrant pink color and unusual picotee pattern, the flowers of 'Supra Cherry' picotee dianthus will command attention in the garden.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Shop it in a set of two or pick up a single jar, and choose from two colors, including this deep green or vibrant orange.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But, because animated films can take a long time to complete, the movie isn’t expected to release until 2029.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Awards were given out across 33 categories, with winners in the narrative, documentary, and animated shorts categories achieving Oscar eligibility.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The shutdown’s ripple effects spread across nearly every part of the air travel network Friday, with the nation’s busiest airports hit hardest.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Hours before the awards ceremony, the veteran exec is still sprightly trodding the labyrinthine corridors of the festival home of the International Theatre Amsterdam.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Nov. 2025
-
Rice was playing at an All-Pro level last year before suffering a torn ACL, second-year receiver Xavier Worthy is always improving and even tight end Travis Kelce is appearing more sprightly than last campaign.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Highly active world Enceladus is a highly active world, with a global, salty sub-surface ocean, believed to be the source of its heat.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
-
The cancellations made up nearly half of the airline’s flight schedule during the buzzing holiday season.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lively. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share