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

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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 Regardless, Hubbard, who still stays in touch with his former teammate, said surpassing McCaffrey in rushing yards wouldn’t even warrant a playful one-up text. — Will Dehmel october 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026 Ahmady portrays Daisy as a playful spirit, a bored young mother who throws herself into new adventures and is unconflicted when her actions happen to hurt others. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026 Haring, whose artwork is characterized by bold outlines and rhythmic figures punctuated by playful wit, has become synonymous with the 1980s New York downtown art scene. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Kalind, the younger brother of a bonobo named Kevin, was the more excitable and playful of the two. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful

Adjective

Affleck had a particularly amusing — and maybe slightly awkward — anecdote to share when asked about seeking directorial advice from the British Oscar winner.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
That might have been an amusing legal omission when the question was theoretical.

— Jonathan Flora OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

— Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026
This deeply entertaining and emotional film never skirts the scientific process, but instead fully embraces it at every turn.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of entertaining

Adjective

Mercury in your sign squares Mars in your 10th House, putting your voice, identity, and public responsibilities into a lively tug-of-war.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Each Lucas Duplan set will feature songs crafted to satisfy Miami’s appetite for electronic music and a lively nightlife.

— William Jones, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

The friendly staff, who wear black uniforms with lettering that identifies their duties add to the hotel’s merry atmosphere.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
This is a place where adults make the pilgrimage to the legendary Pinto Ron and Pizza Pete tailgate spot in the Hammer Lot where Pinto Ron's team of merry pranksters pour shots of liquor into a bowling ball finger hole.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of merry

Adjective

This gives the Blackjaw a more compact, natural form without having a big, goofy faux-carabiner jutting out the end.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
The only player who can match Mbappé for talent is Haaland who, unlike Mbappé, has a goofy, accessible and affable persona online.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

Autonomous vehicle designers have to worry about riders getting frisky in public.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
Laced with Horgan’s signature combination of unsparing honesty and sparkling wit, Youth is a fleet and frisky reminder that growing into yourself is a lifelong endeavor.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of frisky

Adjective

By studying what happens when these energetic particles collide with target materials, scientists can investigate the shapes and sizes of atomic nuclei.

— Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
About 35 times more energetic than any neutrino seen before, it was picked up by the under-construction Cubic Kilometer Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) detector off the coast of Sicily.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of energetic

Browse Nearby Words

playfellows

playful

playfully

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

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Synonyms of playful

adjective

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