as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing
the little girl was lighthearted and playful
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playful
For a bonus young, playful woman falling in love with the dreamiest, easy-to-love leading man, try K-drama Healer.
—
Leesa Cross-Smith, People.com, 21 June 2025
Pair it with minimalist essentials like a sleek maxi skirt and flip-flops for a modern approach, or give it in a more directional tone by contrasting it with sparkling statement pieces (another key summer trend) for a high-low mix that toes the line between playful and elevated.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 June 2025
The pairings of cabochon gems and pavé setting create either harmonious ton-sur-ton effects or playful contrasts, enhanced by geometric openwork.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Earlier this summer the company rolled out Scoop Social, a playful, nostalgic ice cream hour that brought guests together around sweet treats and conversation.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Leesa Cross-Smith, People.com, 21 June 2025
Pair it with minimalist essentials like a sleek maxi skirt and flip-flops for a modern approach, or give it in a more directional tone by contrasting it with sparkling statement pieces (another key summer trend) for a high-low mix that toes the line between playful and elevated.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 June 2025
The pairings of cabochon gems and pavé setting create either harmonious ton-sur-ton effects or playful contrasts, enhanced by geometric openwork.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Earlier this summer the company rolled out Scoop Social, a playful, nostalgic ice cream hour that brought guests together around sweet treats and conversation.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
-
The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.—
Grace Jordan-Weinstein,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
Although many other theories were quite amusing on social media.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The sophisticated audiences of 2025 require a little more grit, more mischievous fun.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Zada lives up to the mischievous troublemaker in Lockhart’s book.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ker’s attempts to get fit enough to run a marathon in aid of the Wrexham Miners Project proved an entertaining subplot throughout series four.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
Snag outdoor storage boxes, side tables, and rolling bar carts for entertaining.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
For much of the day New Haven Green was filled with a Juneteenth Village and Marketplace, including loud and lively hip-hop acts.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
-
The small but lively crowd of 14,312 at the Rose Bowl gasped in disbelief as Deossa and his teammates celebrated what instantly became a contender for the goal of the tournament — only to be possibly upstaged by his fellow midfielder Corona nine minutes later.—
Austin Green,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Audiences already know what to expect from Buzz Lightyear, Woody and their merry band of talking toys.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
23 June 2025
-
Will the market continue to trudge along its merry path?—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dead Snow, though, bearing a poster that’s as good as the actual film, prides itself on its constant assault of goofy violence.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
-
Despite the lack of bombast, The Alters tells a compelling and heartfelt narrative, with some goofier moments to break up the unrelenting drama.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
That coherence is a physical, energetic property in one’s mind-body system.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Both Explorer’s Lounge and the Pinnacle Bar are on the quieter side, while Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard have live music and a more energetic vibe, particularly later in the evening.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Che Diaz), others are flourishing; my favorite plot arc this season belongs to the elegant real-estate agent Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), a character who began, perhaps, as a frisky Samantha stand-in, but who has since accrued her own emotional gravity.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
30 May 2025
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Lawrence often has this frisky, rabid grin that’s irresistible to watch but also scary.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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