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 As a shadowy figure appeared behind a curtain, the actress widened her eyes in alarm, adding another playful nod to the movie's home invasion storyline. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Finally, grab 25% off the Logitech G316 X 98 Gaming Keyboard, providing hot-swappable mechanical switches and a playful dot-matrix LED display. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 Kiwanuka wanted the music to be precise and well-formed, but still emanating that playful, stream-of-consciousness feeling. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026 Written by Pauline Bayle and directed by Joe Hufton, the playful theatrical number was launched at Hong Kong‘s Freespace within West Kowloon Cultural District last weekend. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful

Adjective

Still, the episodes move along so fast and the bursts of talent emerge with enough frequency that Minimum Wage makes for an amusing, energetic, instantly disposable binge.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
Some participants appreciate the light-hearted and good-natured humor, expressing gratitude and finding it timely and amusing.

— Edith Pritchett, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

The monkeys are adorable from a distance and mischievous up close.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
On their full-length debut, the buzzy NYC siblings pay tribute to the fuckboy charm of the aughts with their precocious, mischievous, and rapidly evolving pop music.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of mischievous

Adjective

The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings weren’t going to re-create double-overtime playoff moments from the early 2010s on Tuesday, but the game was still an entertaining affair.

— Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
In addition to a pool with an inset spa, the resort-like grounds host an entertaining pavilion anchored by a pizza oven, bar, and grilling station, as well as a mini-golf course and putting area.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertaining

Adjective

Aspen has long been a hotspot for skiers searching for fresh powder and a lively après scene, but the town has been on a roll more recently with all types because of its worldly mix of cultures on display at institutions like the Aspen Art Museum.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
But the lively crew at the urinals was already licking its lips in anticipation.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

In the days leading up to the Christmas party Lexi and Ridge’s attempt to pair up their parents brings them closer together and their merry matchmaking ends in surprising results.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Rather than getting stuck or trying to figure out a way to navigate around an obstacle, the robot can simply leap over it and continue on its merry way.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of merry

Adjective

Some Latinas are nerds, and some Latinas are quirky, and some of them are goofy and some of them are clumsy.

— Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The opening chase scene is gorgeously animated, the kind of sequence that makes Common Side Effects distinct visual style that is at once both goofy and realistic so mesmerizing to watch.

— Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

If your palate isn’t feeling frisky, Cathay Pacific also offers a variety of Western and Asian dishes.

— Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 4-0 by holding off a frisky Las Vegas Raiders team, which entered their divisional matchup undefeated themselves.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of frisky

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 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of playful

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

satiate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes