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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spirited
Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
Wild Cards is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
That represents a shift from recent months in which disagreements over the economic outlook led to a spirited debate about the appropriate path for rates.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Chinese photographer Theo Liu shot the high-spirited images.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
The Cabaret Pensacola’s marquee gay bar, The Cabaret, is the reliable go-to for an inclusive dance scene and spirited drag shows.
—Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
Wild Cards is a crime-solving procedural with a comedic twist that follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
That represents a shift from recent months in which disagreements over the economic outlook led to a spirited debate about the appropriate path for rates.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Chinese photographer Theo Liu shot the high-spirited images.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
-
The fiery meeting at the South Shore Cultural Center began with local Ald.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
House Democrats clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday during a fiery hearing on Capitol Hill that devolved into shouting matches and throwing sharp elbows.—
Fritz Farrow,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But smart casting, witty writing, lively directing, and artful character development have also yielded the rare superhero riff that, as Kovak puts it, finds the human underneath.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
For 30 minutes, the producers mostly paint with a warm, lively palette, whisking fragments of IDM, ghettotech, and house into a hypnotic swirl.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a moving tribute on Facebook, Crispin mourned the future that was snatched away from them.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
One TikToker even took time to comment and say the out-of-shape owl had snatched the funniest TikTok title.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Instructor Peggie Moore is passionate about working with students of every age, size, shape and ability.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Kubota is passionate about water, food and the environment.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His interests reflect both his creativity and his energetic spirit.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Some 35 times more energetic than any neutrino seen before, the particle might have shot out from a highly active galaxy — a blazar — or a background source of cosmogenic high-energy particles that scientists suspect pervade the cosmos.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Without the fear of being captured mid-tear or mid-questionable dance moves, people are quicker to let their guards down and enjoy themselves fully.—
Nikita Khanna,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Their work consisted of a neuromorphic sensor that captured the actions of Braille readers.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Imani Hakim brought a spunky energy to the role of Tonya Rock, the youngest sibling who often stole scenes with her sharp comebacks.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Choose from this soothing sea glass colorway, a pretty carnation pink, and a spunky teal—all for 19 percent off.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During the trial, many of Cardi's impassioned exchanges with the Janfaza went viral due to her unfiltered, expletive-laced responses and animated expressions, including eye rolls and shrugs.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Tang joined Adult Swim in 2012 and contributed to the development of numerous live‑action and animated originals including Joe Pera Talks with You, Royal Crackers, The Eric Andre Show, and the WGA Award-winning Three Busy Debras.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
