1
as in pistol
a very energetic person
the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires
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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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Recent Examples of live wire
Like other great comedy duos, Vaughn and Wilson are a smoothly compatible mismatch; Vaughn’s energy is cranked up, a sparking live wire, while Wilson is an easy-breezy roll-with-it type.
—
Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
In Pennsylvania, where tornado-strength winds ripped through on April 29, Pittsburgh Public Safety said an unidentified male was pronounced dead after being electrocuted by live wires during the storm.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department said one of the two deaths happened when a Pittsburgh man was electrocuted by live wires, per Accuweather.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The drama tonight is about the host, Jerry Lewis, at the time something of a live wire and out of keeping with Academy tradition.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
In Pennsylvania, where tornado-strength winds ripped through on April 29, Pittsburgh Public Safety said an unidentified male was pronounced dead after being electrocuted by live wires during the storm.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 May 2025
The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department said one of the two deaths happened when a Pittsburgh man was electrocuted by live wires, per Accuweather.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
The drama tonight is about the host, Jerry Lewis, at the time something of a live wire and out of keeping with Academy tradition.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wire
Noun
-
He's seen running through the store and into the parking lot, stabbing a final victim in the crosswalk before being subdued by bystanders, including a man with a licensed pistol.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
One suspect was armed with an AR-15-style pistol while the other was armed with a handgun, according to police.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Penn State is the favorite to win the Big Ten this season, a conference that includes powerhouses like Ohio State and Oregon.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
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Since its realisation in 2013 Atelier September has been a powerhouse in the Copenhagen vegetarian food scene since Frederik Bille Brahe opened its first location in an old gallery on one of the city’s bustling streets, Gothersgade.—
Glenys Johnson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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True to her word, this seemingly tireless San Diego dynamo is at work on several fronts.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Aug. 2025
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The Lions wouldn’t be an offensive dynamo without linemen like Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decks and Graham Glasnow.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wire. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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