PLAYFUL Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

playful

adjective

ˈplā-fəl

Definition of playful

as in amusing

given to good-natured joking or teasing the little girl was lighthearted and playful

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 playful Through his many aliases, like ICQ Baby and DJ LHC, the producer and DJ has experimented with various electronic sounds, mixing hyperpop and breakbeat into his own playful aesthetic. — Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026 Saturated without feeling loud, the playful hue transforms the Moss table and chairs into a statement set that brightens the whole room (though a natural Birch finish is also available for color skeptics). — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026 Iosseliani’s poetic portraits of life on the Soviet periphery range from neorealist documentation of collective farms to playful snapshots of Tbilisi, with a light touch reminiscent of the French New Wave. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 Late summer nails are bold, playful, and full of seasonal spirit. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful

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

Among the highlights is a double-height living room with a fireplace, a seated bar, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors spilling out to an expansive deck sporting a covered entertaining area, plus a pool and spa.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
This year has seen trends in soft yards and party patios, along with outdoor entertaining trends that incorporate seamless indoor-outdoor spaces.

— Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of entertaining

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

But Margaret and Alice’s quick-witted machinations provide the basis for a merry outing at the theater.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Four hundred years later, a merry band of scientists and entrepreneurs of mind-altering intoxicants are plunging even deeper into the diabolical by mechanizing DMT’s delivery via IV syringe pumps.

— Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026

Definition of merry

Adjective

Regardless of that, there’s much to enjoy including that Alfred-Batman relationship and the frisky one between Batman and Catwoman.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 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

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

Browse Nearby Words

playfellows

playful

playfully

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of playful

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on playful

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