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lively

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lively contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lively are animated, gay, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

In what contexts can animated take the place of lively?

The synonyms animated and lively are sometimes interchangeable, but animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When could gay be used to replace lively?

The meanings of gay and lively largely overlap; however, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When can sprightly be used instead of lively?

The words sprightly and lively are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When is it sensible to use vivacious instead of lively?

Although the words vivacious and lively have much in common, vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

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
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
That has triggered a lively debate about the impact of free speech in a business known for meticulous image control. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025 Plan a long weekend in Savannah, where the holidays shine with lively markets, festive traditions, and plenty of Southern warmth. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025 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
  • Raja’s energetic narration is relentlessly funny, even (or especially) when it’s turned to dark or disturbing events from his past.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
  • But Isaacman has also garnered broad support within the commercial space industry, where he’s perceived as an energetic outsider ready to usher NASA into a new era.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Here, vibrant colors combine to complete a mosaic of flowers and trees that extends far into the distance.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The silky maxidress was wholly evocative of the holiday season, with a vibrant color that referenced popular shades of green and red often associated with the Christmas holiday.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
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
  • 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
  • Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 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
  • Four years, later, Guillory opened a second store in New Orleans’ Central Business District, a streetcar ride away from fashionable Magazine Street and the buzzing French Quarter.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
  • With historical sights like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace brushing up against buzzing bars and lively cafes, Ottoman-era mosques a short walk from contemporary art museums, and traditional carpet shops around the corner from trendy boutiques, Istanbul is a place where old and new coexist.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lively. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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