as in friskily
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Recent Examples of playfully
During the exchange, Lindo, 73, playfully shoved Jordan, 39, who was seated in front of him.
—
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
The returning favorite—which was playfully announced online in a nod to social outrage—features two crispy Original Recipe Tenders wrapped in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and Pepper Mayo.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
Not so with this visually striking doc about the artistry of David Bowie, with its kaleidoscopic imagery and a playfully experimental narrative.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Another slide collages pictures of the two wearing matching sunglasses, while a third image sees Ratajkowski playfully sticking her tongue out as the couple enjoy a dinner date.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Waterhouse and Ramirez bring humor to their roles, whether leaning into the free-spirited nature of the town or playfully modeling Kors’ s signature aviators with the season’s bags and accessories in tow.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Director Lisa Peterson has beautifully and playfully enhanced Shear’s storytelling with wonderful moments of humor, whimsy and romance.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The verdict Regent Hong Kong is like the coolest art gallery, sexiest nightclub and most elegant private members establishment all rolled into one playfully luxurious space.
—Ann Lee, TheWeek, 16 Feb. 2026
Ilia Malinin playfully threw a couple of jabs at a TV camera while skating off the ice Tuesday night, the pressure of his first Olympics having seemingly vanished after a team gold medal and a near-perfect short program to begin the men’s competition.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
The returning favorite—which was playfully announced online in a nod to social outrage—features two crispy Original Recipe Tenders wrapped in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and Pepper Mayo.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
Not so with this visually striking doc about the artistry of David Bowie, with its kaleidoscopic imagery and a playfully experimental narrative.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Another slide collages pictures of the two wearing matching sunglasses, while a third image sees Ratajkowski playfully sticking her tongue out as the couple enjoy a dinner date.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Waterhouse and Ramirez bring humor to their roles, whether leaning into the free-spirited nature of the town or playfully modeling Kors’ s signature aviators with the season’s bags and accessories in tow.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Director Lisa Peterson has beautifully and playfully enhanced Shear’s storytelling with wonderful moments of humor, whimsy and romance.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The verdict Regent Hong Kong is like the coolest art gallery, sexiest nightclub and most elegant private members establishment all rolled into one playfully luxurious space.
—Ann Lee, TheWeek, 16 Feb. 2026
Ilia Malinin playfully threw a couple of jabs at a TV camera while skating off the ice Tuesday night, the pressure of his first Olympics having seemingly vanished after a team gold medal and a near-perfect short program to begin the men’s competition.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playfully
Adverb
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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
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During the ceremony, Barron was seen smiling and clapping alongside Elon Musk, animatedly talking with Jeff Bezos and greeting outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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But those viewers may not know that Impacciatore is also an accomplished dancer who energetically led the Opening Ceremony audience through a brief history of the Winter Olympics, as the chillier Games are celebrating their 100th year.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Think stark pastel tableaux by cinematographer Pasit Tandaechanurat and human performers who act about as energetically as furniture.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 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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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
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On a February Los Angeles morning, Gyllenhaal moves briskly across the lobby of a low-key-chic hotel, barely breaking stride to ask that, instead of a discreet celeb-friendly indoor corner table, perhaps our interview could take place on an outdoor patio.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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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
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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
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Running parallel to the central chartreuse bar, the orange-sherbet end of the outer tube forms the horizontal upper framing edge of the work, feeling once again like thick construction paper or crisply folded cardstock.—
Gordon Hughes,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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The staff is crisply professional but not afraid to show personality.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Playfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playfully. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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