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
The property offers wellness experiences for all ages, from playful kids’ massages and teen facials to family hydrotherapy rituals and guided aromatherapy sessions.
—
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The November phenomenon got its playful name since this is the time of year beavers typically start to shelter in their lodges for winter, The Old Farmer's Almanac noted.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
The collaboration channels Ganni’s playful aesthetic with Disney’s Daisy Duck as its muse.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Understandably excited, Quayle couldn’t resist a playful shoulder punch to the older, reserved Bush, who smiled awkwardly.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The November phenomenon got its playful name since this is the time of year beavers typically start to shelter in their lodges for winter, The Old Farmer's Almanac noted.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
The collaboration channels Ganni’s playful aesthetic with Disney’s Daisy Duck as its muse.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Understandably excited, Quayle couldn’t resist a playful shoulder punch to the older, reserved Bush, who smiled awkwardly.
—Time, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
-
Arthur is known as Conkling’s hatchet man, a customs collector for the Port of New York who’s shown, in one amusing snippet, presiding over the beating of a noncompliant businessman.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Garner is a brilliant observer and listener — every page has a surprising, sharp or amusing thought.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Clearly, Rascal lived up to his mischievous name by finding the well in the first place.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest-stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, should the classy lady in question love playing hostess, the gift of top-tier Le Creuset cookware will feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity — unwrapped just in time for New Year’s Eve entertaining.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Indiana has a long history of marching bands entertaining crowds — not just at halftime, but to stadiums full of fans.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
My appetite for more Lee is low, but Harjo’s Tulsa — cynical and lively at the same time — simmers with more to say.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But don’t let the tragic tale color your impression of the Park; during the holidays its annual Christmas at the Falls event transforms the area into one of the merriest and brightest spots around.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
-
To usher in the return of all things merry and bright, Dunkin' is integrating a handful of new items to its holiday menu.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The pictures, show the tabby cat in the most awkward positions, from sitting like a frog, to biting his toenails, and just being generally goofy.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The best part of the movie might be the goofy post-credits dance scene between Farrell and co-star Tilda Swinton.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The zebras pranced, all frisky energy; the elephants, lumbering and mournful, trailed behind with their ancient thoughts.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Along the way, though, Dylan’s transformation from frisky, plucky folk upstart — a walking, talking, cap-wearing version of the Anthology of Folk Music collection everyone was discovering at the time — to master of his domain is heard in large and small ways.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Raja’s energetic narration is relentlessly funny, even (or especially) when it’s turned to dark or disturbing events from his past.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But Isaacman has also garnered broad support within the commercial space industry, where he’s perceived as an energetic outsider ready to usher NASA into a new era.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share