PERKY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

perky

adjective

ˈpər-kē

Definition of perky

as in energetic

having much high-spirited energy and movement a perky cheerleader

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 perky The sunny season is really just heating up, but Palmer has been turning out look after look in anticipation of summer, this perky ponytail included. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 June 2026 The day shift also starts making factory-work jokes, with Rekha playing a perky do-bee who just wants to make the boss happy, and Lily adopting an agitator role, demanding workman’s comp and trying to spark revolt. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026 What happens when a vivacious, perky, wannabe actress moves across the hall from two Caltech physicists whose idea of a big Saturday night is a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons? — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 Rodrigo’s fans are young—some very young—and her music is perky, composed, and telegenic in a way that can distract from how much darkness and loathing lurk within it. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perky

Adjective

Bergé—still blustery and energetic at sixty-eight—flanks Saint Laurent protectively as the two leave their hotel for the ceremony, where the designer is set to receive a lifetime-achievement award.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
As a rookie last season, Watkins established himself as one of the Wizards’ most energetic and physical perimeter defenders.

— Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of energetic

Adjective

Players have long complained about less-lively balls that force them to swing harder to hit them through the court.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
The pilot sets up interesting tensions between Duke and surrogate father Kingsley and a livelier adversarial role for Pinnock, but Kingsley is gone for the majority of the six episodes (out of eight) sent to critics and Pinnock’s absence is felt.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

In Thursday’s announcement, Canal+ highlighted that the new deal would also see a strengthening of its support for new filmmakers and new styles of filmmaking; debut films and emerging talent; diversity film and animated films.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 July 2026
Although animated sequels have majorly rebounded at the box office, original fare remains challenged.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 July 2026

Definition of animated

Adjective

Spending time with friends and enjoying activities like golf, fishing, or attending sporting events encourages connection and supports an active lifestyle.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026
Their active roster is predominantly right-handed, which clogs up some of the lineup decisions for Roberts.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of active

Adjective

The problem, of course, is that this newfound speed arrived in a world whose lighting technology had not quite caught up with the idea of vehicles moving at more than a brisk trot.

— Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Sales have been brisk for state lottery games after a brief period where inflation apparently caused consumers to dial back purchases of scratch-off tickets.

— Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

To imagine the natural world not as a passive resource but as an animate collaborator would be to reorder more than aesthetic categories, demanding another relation to our environment.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 29 May 2026
Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026

Definition of animate

Adjective

At a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in 2012, their cheerful father-son bond shines among the crowd.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Eva Chen’s table-and-stool set makes the most of this fleeting chapter with sculptural silhouettes, cheerful colors, and four whimsical stools—each with its own shape—that let everyone claim their own seat.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026

Definition of cheerful

Adjective

The track, which also prominently features Anuel AA and Ñengo Flow, is filled with racy and at times ludicrous double entendres which create an intoxicating romp, driven in turn by a bouncing and infectious rhythm.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Nov. 2022
My bush was big and bouncing, transcendent and absolutely outasight, baby.

— Michaela angela Davis, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2022

Definition of bouncing

Browse Nearby Words

perk (up)

perky

perm

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perky. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perky

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on perky

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes