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

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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 Or, for a more playful approach, try amping up the old Hollywood glamour. — Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 Online, Firstman’s personality can come off playful or caustic, depending on how generous the viewer is feeling. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026 The looks were topped with more fringes, feathers and crystal embroideries, as seen on playful handbags and novelty charm jewelry. — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 The Pisces Moon in your finance zone squares your ruler Uranus in your playful 5th house, making spontaneous plans, tickets, hobbies, or treats harder to resist. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful

Adjective

To filter a movie about the origins of a zombie/monster epidemic through the point of view of a hapless outsider is an amusing, if rather one-note, concept.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Fickell didn’t say anything too surprising, but the comments still made headlines — and drew an amusing response from Ash.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of amusing

Adjective

Directed by Richard Lester, the 1964 film followed the crew over two days as the band struggled to keep themselves and Paul McCartney’s mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
In this charming graphic novel, the mischievous Norse god Loki gets banished to mid-Guard—AKA Earth—as punishment and must adjust to a month of life as an 11-year-old boy and document his journey in a journal.

— Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of mischievous

Adjective

This week, some people make gigantic mistakes that are very entertaining.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
The lower level includes several entertaining spaces, from a cozy living room with a stone fireplace to a sleek chef’s kitchen with blue-gray cabinetry.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of entertaining

Adjective

Why, those teeming crowds just outside the shows are their own lively scene, filled with exciting, unexpected, and downright inspired takes on what’s happening in fashion.

— Phil Oh, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026
Echo Theater Company’s ambitious production brings lively design and a volatile cast to the stage, but an unfocused script and feverish direction overwhelm the story.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

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
The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of merry

Adjective

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
But his firmly comedic approach, primarily filtered through goofy ironic commentary in the tradition of Monty Python, makes the specificity of his survey go down smoothly.

— Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of goofy

Adjective

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
The Black Crowes broke out with a frisky cover of this Otis Redding tune just as hair metal was giving way to grunge.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of frisky

Adjective

The smart money was on the colorful, energetic Sinclair with a ready answer and the catchy acronym.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
But the last two decades have been filled with challenges for McClatchy, whose chain of newspapers across the Central Valley and beyond was once known for its energetic journalism and independent streak.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of playful

adjective

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