1
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
the town meeting featured a spirited debate about the proposed ban on skateboarding in the plaza downtown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement
a team known for its spirited and in-your-face basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spirited
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
But this sedan is geared for comfort and never feels confident in spirited, dynamic situations.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026
Sacramento’s ‘official unofficial’ World Cup headquarters Throughout the World Cup’s opening match, booze and food from the Line’s commercial kitchen space — including a special pop-up from Mexican restaurant La Sabrocita — flowed freely among the spirited fans.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Teams like Haiti, Jordan and Curacao provide pillowy cushions in otherwise mean-spirited, competitive groups.
—Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
But don’t let the precious appearance fool you—this cocktail is high-spirited.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
But this sedan is geared for comfort and never feels confident in spirited, dynamic situations.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026
Sacramento’s ‘official unofficial’ World Cup headquarters Throughout the World Cup’s opening match, booze and food from the Line’s commercial kitchen space — including a special pop-up from Mexican restaurant La Sabrocita — flowed freely among the spirited fans.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Teams like Haiti, Jordan and Curacao provide pillowy cushions in otherwise mean-spirited, competitive groups.
—Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
-
The ingredients were fresh and the balance of tangy citrus notes and fiery spices made for an unforgettable meal.—
Deeya Sonalkar,
TheWeek,
18 June 2026
-
Mamdani spoke for roughly eight minutes in a fiery speech about the history of the team, the grind to the championship, the heartbreaking seasons and the perseverance necessary to finally bring a title to New York after 53 years.—
Ryan Morik OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The ranch saloon sits across from the open yard—and around the corner and up a hill of long yellow grass is the outdoor rodeo arena, home to lively summer rodeos every week in the summer season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Baltimore is best known for its maritime history and lively harbor, with plenty to see and do, from the National Aquarium to the cobblestone streets and waterfront views of Fell's Point.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Armed men snatched a highly respected security expert earlier this week in one of the few places in the capital city of Haiti to be considered relatively safe.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
By lunchtime, the majority of jerseys — of varying colors and sizes — had already been snatched up.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
True to its name, the pub in Overland Park housed more than 100 passionate and prideful Dutch supporters who came together to watch the Netherlands face Japan in what some are calling the game of the World Cup so far.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
But the real tragedy is that the world lost a true artist, a passionate and gifted story teller, and a radiant light that shined upon so many of us.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Actually, these are anything but those same White Sox that wallowed in all that misery the last three years — but rather a team of young, energetic grinders, the product of a near-total roster overhaul by general manager Chris Getz.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
-
However, the problem is that almost all nuclear energy transitions are far too energetic to be controlled with lasers.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Satellite image captured on July 29, 2024, shows the Alexander Mountain fire near Loveland, Colorado.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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After turning heads with $600 boots at her husband, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s, swearing-in ceremony, Duwaji has once again captured the attention of the fashion-obsessed with a look inspired by the New York Knicks.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Nothing freshens up a spunky short haircut like fringe.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
-
From the annals of cooking past, sauce jouvert, spunky with marjoram, red wine vinegar, both walnuts and hazelnuts, and breadcrumbs, is raised from the annals of recipe history to be draped over pretty much any kind of vegetable.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
In recent years, Hollywood decided adult comedies were not good bets in movie theaters, and instead focused heavily on superheroes and animated films.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
-
Toons boom across the Croisette this year, with colorful features opening Critics’ Week, closing Directors’ Fortnight, and appearing across nearly every section — further cementing Cannes’ status as a premier launchpad for animated cinema.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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