as in friskily
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Recent Examples of playfully
His parents recalled playfully hitting him with pool noodles during his progressions, a routine that eventually drew in a growing group of neighborhood kids for daily practices.
—
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Walt playfully honored Fowler for his work on the Submarine Voyage with a plaque designating him Commander-in-Chief of the Disneyland Navy.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Additionally, Paulson shared a series of old text messages and emails from Keaton during her gala remarks, which playfully showcased Keaton's sharp wit and zany sense of humor.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The editor in chief issued an open invitation for Clooney to visit her newsroom and playfully mocked his move to France.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
In a sweet social media video, Allen is seen kissing Steinfeld's belly while playfully posing in a snowy scene.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
In June, a man in California captured real-life video of coyotes wandering onto a trampoline and playfully bouncing.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
And knows how to playfully call its audience.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Walt playfully honored Fowler for his work on the Submarine Voyage with a plaque designating him Commander-in-Chief of the Disneyland Navy.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Additionally, Paulson shared a series of old text messages and emails from Keaton during her gala remarks, which playfully showcased Keaton's sharp wit and zany sense of humor.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
The editor in chief issued an open invitation for Clooney to visit her newsroom and playfully mocked his move to France.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Dec. 2025
In a sweet social media video, Allen is seen kissing Steinfeld's belly while playfully posing in a snowy scene.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 27 Dec. 2025
In June, a man in California captured real-life video of coyotes wandering onto a trampoline and playfully bouncing.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
And knows how to playfully call its audience.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playfully
Adverb
-
The silence is delightfully interrupted by three older men dressed in loafers and Hawaiian shirts conversing animatedly in Greek over a half-empty box of almond cookies.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The umpire called Robinson safe, while Berra animatedly disagreed.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This is a rebirth point, emotionally, energetically, and intuitively.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Dec. 2025
-
In a two- to three-quart bowl, whisk the eggs and add the maple syrup, milk, and vegetable oil, mixing energetically with the whisk.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
23 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
The head coach wasn’t there either, as Brian Kelly had briskly walked from the postgame handshake at midfield to the end zone tunnel, receiving boos from the few LSU remaining fans.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Add ice and stir briskly for 10 seconds (if using small ice) to 25 seconds (if using big ice).—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
While skittishly edited, the film nevertheless builds up Faithfull’s biography in basic chronological order.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The neighborhoods of Alfama and Bairro Alto stay lively late into the night with fado music, good wine, and shared plates.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Dec. 2025
-
His disdain for Christmas is no match for visits from enchanting ghosts, a lively ensemble of characters, and the music of the season.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
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
Adverb
-
Lightfoot’s vocals were added later, as his crisply enunciated singing, vivid lyrics and Irish-style folk melody sold the storytelling.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
By the end of the opening period, the Clippers had more turnovers (nine) than shots made (eight) and rebounds (seven) while the Jazz were moving the ball crisply and scoring in the paint at will, closing the period on a 24-5 run.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playfully. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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