Synonyms of spirited

spirited 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspir-ə-təd 

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

• fiery
• passionate
• spunky
• brisk
• high-spirited
• fervent
• peppery
• aggressive
• mettlesome
• ambitious
• militant
• feisty
• animated
• energetic
• assertive
• impassioned
• vivacious
• high-pressure
• sprightly
• in-your-face
• ardent
• perky
• kinetic
• gingery
• jaunty
• frisky
• bouncing
• pushy
• scrappy
• peppy
• animate
• jazzy
• racy
• emphatic
• spanking
• springy
• sparky
• pert
• bouncy
• zippy
• vital
• obtrusive
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• halfhearted
• spiritless
• leaden
• dull
• boring
• lifeless
• bloodless
• languid
• listless
• dead
• languorous
• limp
• lackadaisical
• sluggish
• inanimate
• sleepy
• tired
• inert
• lethargic
• torpid
• low-pressure
• unaggressive
• unambitious
• unassertive
• nonassertive
• unenterprising

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

• lively
• energetic
• animated
• active
• brisk
• animate
• enthusiastic
• bouncing
• playful
• cheerful
• vivacious
• awake
• sprightly
• frisky
• perky
• kinetic
• peppy
• jaunty
• sparky
• jazzy
• mettlesome
• racy
• gay
• spanking
• zippy
• vital
• springy
• pert
• snappy
• airy
• agile
• bright
• eager
• on the go
• up
• dashing
• pizzazzy
• dapper
• effervescent
• boisterous
• nimble
• upbeat
• buoyant
• spiffy
• exuberant
• wide-awake
• high-spirited
• chirpy
• alert
• spry
• impish
• nervous
• ebullient
• frolicsome
• bubbly
• chipper
• sparkly
• keen
• open-eyed
• agog
• high-strung
• pixieish
• skittish
• chirrupy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• languid
• listless
• inactive
• dead
• lifeless
• limp
• lazy
• leaden
• inanimate
• indolent
• weary
• sluggish
• tired
• sleepy
• inert
• languorous
• lackadaisical
• vapid
• spiritless
• lethargic
• stolid
• apathetic
• languishing
• dull
• unambitious
• boring
• tedious
• impassive
• torpid
• phlegmatic
• irksome

spirited

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spirit

as in snatched

Related Words

• snatched
• captured
• impressed
• seized
• waylaid
• hijacked
• absconded (with)
• kidnapped
• crimped
• abducted
• shanghaied
• stole
• caught
• took
• copped

Dissimilar Words

• delivered
• rescued
• returned
• redeemed
• restored
• ransomed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spirited

Adjective

Asked about the potential ill effects on artists’ practices of the large-scale destruction of books, weighed against the possible benefits of technological progress, Chan and Paul’ had a spirited exchange. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The broader ensemble is equally well calibrated to that optimism, with Janina Gavankar bringing veteran authority as Anjali’s mom and Lilly Singh making a spirited appearance that feels more earned than most celebrity cameos. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

With unwavering resolve, Salvador rallies an eclectic band of misfit street kids, led by the spirited Belén, to defy fate and protect Carmen. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Clive Rose / Getty Images Piastri put up a spirited fight against Verstappen, who had a brief mistake with a lock-up at Turn 1 to briefly give the McLaren driver the podium spot back. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026