Definition of playfulnext

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 brand has everything from flowy, floral dresses to garments with playful patterns and textures. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 June 2026 Summer is the perfect time to experiment with vibrant colors, playful textures, and eye-catching designs that make a statement without the extra length. Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 22 June 2026 Ultimately, the Cyber-G Pocket is a playful, tech-forward icebreaker rather than a replacement for a piano or digital audio workstation. New Atlas, 21 June 2026 Which means maybe the conservatives cheering on Warsh today for knowing what’s obvious should be the individuals receiving playful pats on the head. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
  • Cavill, absent from the proceedings for long stretches, remains a sturdy presence as the most buff screen Sherlock ever, while Helena Bonham Carter is again reliably amusing as Enola and Sherlock’s sardonic mother Eudoria.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
  • Elmosnino is an amusing villain, making his most self-serving machinations sound reasonable.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The bride and groom both wore custom Christian Dior looks designed by Jonathan Anderson, who’s known for elaborate, mischievous designs.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Months after Scary Movie's release, Abrahams starred as the mischievous Denny Byrnes in Meet the Parents (2000).
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure.
    Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • And that’s the question that underlies much of what’s onscreen in this perplexing, entertaining, frustrating picture.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Vibrant banners will fill the land alongside lively Spanish music.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • On East Passyunk Avenue, Supérette is a lively French wine bar, market and bottle shop where rosé and pastis are enjoyed with snacks like duck prosciutto and raclette sandwiches.
    Regan Stephens, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Some may argue that the more the merrier applies as much to advocacy for social justice as to anything else.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
  • When former President Barack Obama addressed the massive, merry crowd at the Obama Presidential Center dedication ceremony on June 18, a few lines landed like a balm.
    Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Margaret, what the president said is just goofy word salad.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • As Buffy’s bafoonish brother, Dave Sheridan played an unlikely killer (though Doofy GIlmore ends up being far less goofy than originally expected).
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Nilsson’s depiction of bodies past their prime conjures not the pitiless naturalism of Joan Semmel or Alice Neel, but something friskier, more delighted.
    Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • In one scene, Little Death lays outrageously bloody waste to the frisky incoming counselors of Camp Miasma (played by Zach Cherry, Quintessa Swindell, and Eva Victor, among others) in a long take set to a needle drop that shouldn’t be spoiled but that adds up to something worthy of blissing out to.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
  • Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on playful

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster