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
-
Video of the crash shared with the Statesman showed the airplanes colliding, spinning together and crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
During his interview with The New York Times after his ouster, Pelley provided some context for his fiery statements directed at Bilton during that tumultuous all-hands meeting.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 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
-
His sister snatched the sheet back in disbelief, only to see his blank face seemingly devoid of life.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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After their first egg of 2026 was snatched by Ravens, Jackie laid two more eggs that hatched in April and will likely fledge from the nest in July.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 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
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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
-
The outfield grass was the place to be, not only for those watching the game but also for the host of energetic kids playing soccer in center and left fields.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
14 June 2026
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To get there, the capsule will have to endure a fiery atmospheric reentry at a velocity of 12 km per second—a faster, more energetic plunge than those experienced by China’s previous lunar sample-return missions.—
Andrew Jones,
Scientific American,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Against the backdrop of the city's elegant architecture, Lopez floated through the evening in a voluminous butter yellow gown that captured two of fashion's current obsessions.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
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The footage also captured a masked individual creeping up to the home three weeks earlier.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
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The news of the former couple’s split comes about Abdalla became an overnight household name as the spunky and Jennifer Lopez-loving Allie Hayes in the Prime Video series.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The puppy also stomps its paws and moves around in animated excitement.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
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But several attempts are interrupted by visitors, including an animated Crosby.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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