playful

adjective

ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
Definition of playfulnext
as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing the little girl was lighthearted and playful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 playful Marking the occasion on Instagram, the Duchess of Sussex shared a playful photo of herself jumping into a swimming pool while holding a bunch of balloons. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 The surfaces continue to change as the button keeps on getting pushed, placing and recasting Diana, Lalo and The King in new contexts, each vaguely modelled on different film genres and with varying levels of playful artifice. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 Dayoung and Park have infectious chemistry, as they have both always been known individually as sexy and playful performers (without even trying). — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 What the Anniversary Offer Adds The sale itself carries a playful layer through the mystery box gifts. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
  1. amusing
  2. mischievous
  3. entertaining
  4. lively
  5. merry
  6. goofy
  7. frisky
  8. energetic
Adjective
  • This breed is a high-energy dog that's rascally, amusing and certainly vocal.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026
  • While the letter is amusing and frank, Kincaid is making a request that would have been ignored.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • The stories feature the titular George, a mischievous, tailless, almost-always-smiling monkey exploring New York City, and his human companion, the Man in the Yellow Hat.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The extended chords radiated color, but despite the influence of hip-hop and video-game music, the playing felt less mischievous than relentlessly mechanical.
    — Rae-Aila Crumble, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • The main event figures to be an entertaining and informative war.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • String lights and bistro lighting turn a backyard into an entertaining space and suit patios, pergolas, decks and outdoor dining areas.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of entertaining
Adjective
  • Add a striking focal point by nestling a statue fountain between groups of colorful flowers or lively foliage.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The smaller footprint here makes the car much livelier, and the acceleration feels never-ending.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, which marked the first holiday season for Epic Universe, merry decor was concentrated in its Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and Celestial Park sections.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • The two actors have great chemistry and are goofy and lovable.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • And an extremely catchy German song has gone viral in part because its lyrical refrain sounds goofy to ears used to English.
    — Greg Myre, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • The biggest question for those debating whether to see this frisky and original rom-com starring San Francisco native Monica Barbaro and British of-the-moment actor Callum Turner might well be its preposterous premise.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • If the Marbella Club is the grande dame of this Andalusian resort town, Puente Romano Marbella is its younger, friskier sister on the Golden Mile.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Definition of frisky
Adjective
  • The energetic gameplay and short rounds make Dutch Blitz easy to play with your family over and over again, without getting bored.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Maurice’s brother Verdine joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970, contributing to its distinctive sound with his energetic performances and innovative bass lines.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic

Browse Nearby Words

playfellows
playful
playfully
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Cite this Entry

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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