as in friskily
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Recent Examples of playfully
The indoor-outdoor space, playfully dubbed the Galactic Deck, is one of many otherworldly touches at the dazzling five-story office, where managers meet on meditation chairs, murals depict cosmic portals, and floors have names like Conscious Creators and Energy Engineers.
—
Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
The Grace and Frankie star playfully commented on Barbra Streisand‘s tribute to Robert Redford at the 98th Academy Awards Sunday night.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The casting director playfully jabbed Anderson in her acceptance speech, referencing the filmmaker's 14 career Oscar nominations without a victory.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The puff sleeves on this blouse are paired with ruffled hems for a playfully charming and chic look.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
These are the golf-world Oppenheimers who playfully scoff at this narrative.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Everyone erupted into cheers, slapping their 14-year-old brother on the back and jostling him playfully.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Attracted by artificial light, dozens of gentle manta rays playfully brushed against us.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
At one point, Styles’ car crashes beneath a truck and bursts into flames, one of several over-the-top moments that playfully mimic Hollywood action films.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
The Grace and Frankie star playfully commented on Barbra Streisand‘s tribute to Robert Redford at the 98th Academy Awards Sunday night.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The casting director playfully jabbed Anderson in her acceptance speech, referencing the filmmaker's 14 career Oscar nominations without a victory.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The puff sleeves on this blouse are paired with ruffled hems for a playfully charming and chic look.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
These are the golf-world Oppenheimers who playfully scoff at this narrative.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Everyone erupted into cheers, slapping their 14-year-old brother on the back and jostling him playfully.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Attracted by artificial light, dozens of gentle manta rays playfully brushed against us.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
At one point, Styles’ car crashes beneath a truck and bursts into flames, one of several over-the-top moments that playfully mimic Hollywood action films.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playfully
Adverb
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On her Instagram Story, the As Ever founder shared an accompanying video which, according to People, features a voice that’s likely Lilibet’s animatedly speaking towards the end of the clip, as the waves rolled in.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
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Mangione wore beige prison clothing to the hearing and spoke animatedly with his defense team.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Still, while these surfaces are clearly meant to reflect deeper emotional and cultural truths, Coppola’s mining of them is done glancingly, airily.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Moving energetically about Penumbra’s small stage on the sonic foundation of a four-piece band led by Sanford Moore, who’s created fresh arrangements of several of Grant’s songs, the 11-member cast summons up enough electricity to brighten up a city.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
14 Mar. 2026
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As Venus harmonizes with Pluto, allies become evident while enemies are energetically repelled.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The song's interplay between choir and orchestra is buoyantly euphoric, opening a door to bolder, more intentionally progressive and soulful sounds in the country's mainstream.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 May 2025
Adverb
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The sight of them gave me the creeps, triggering a desire to turn around and walk briskly in the other direction.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In Albany, Ossé filmed a video, rife with quick cuts, of himself walking around briskly in a dark suit and talking about the Fair Share Act.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The horse, not sensing any guidance on its ribcage, begins to move skittishly in tight, concentric circles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
While skittishly edited, the film nevertheless builds up Faithfull’s biography in basic chronological order.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Young hunters can also expect pennies, treats and other surprises along the route—enough to keep the afternoon lively.—
Debby Rice,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Close to lively Lower Greenville in the coveted M Streets neighborhood, a five-bedroom modern design awaits at 6215 Llano Ave.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Then again, maybe $1,000 just rolls trippingly off the tongue and into Trump’s good graces.—
Stephen Gandel,
The Seattle Times,
3 Feb. 2018
-
One man, whose arrogance and ego lead him trippingly into chaos of his own making, can turn a shining city on the hill into a shadowy, taudry replica of itself. …—
James Hohmann,
Washington Post,
14 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Playfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playfully. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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