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
Puppy Bowl, now in its 22nd year, is the longest-running call-to-adoption television event, known for filling a tiny football field with playful, adoptable dogs.
—
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Examples include rich, grounding earth tones, silhouettes with real architectural weight, and the playful return of traditional upholstery details.
—Sophie Aliece Hollis, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Soft and Fresh Colors Hosts are embracing a wide-ranging palette that moves effortlessly between soft and moody, playful and grounded.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Choose a playful starting point like stretching while music plays — something easy to do every day.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for playful
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Examples include rich, grounding earth tones, silhouettes with real architectural weight, and the playful return of traditional upholstery details.
—Sophie Aliece Hollis, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Soft and Fresh Colors Hosts are embracing a wide-ranging palette that moves effortlessly between soft and moody, playful and grounded.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Choose a playful starting point like stretching while music plays — something easy to do every day.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
-
His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Dave, feeling mischievous, ushered them towards a window seat and what, on the face of it, seemed a prime spot.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The battle for the fifth starter position in spring may be the most entertaining in camp — with Lowder, Burns, Petty and Williamson attempting to crack the rotation.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The kitchen also has direct access to a large rear deck, which enhances the outdoor living and entertaining options during pleasant weather.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Chabada For a livelier scene, head to the main drag along Platja de l’Arenal to find Chabada.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The style throughout, irrespective of category, is lively without being hectic, a pleasing postmodern blend of contemporary, midcentury, and roughly Victorian elements.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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 annual allergy affliction happens when the male mountain ashe juniper trees get frisky looking for the female mountain ashe junipers and unleash all of their itchy, yellow pollen.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
-
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether that’s stand in the pocket, whether that’s run, whether that’s scramble, whether that’s hand the ball off 30 times and be energetic about it.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share