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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of spirited
Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
The combat veterans of that era engaged in a spirited debate before giving Bush the authorization to invade Kuwait with 83 House Democrats joining 163 Republicans to pass the measure in a show of unity.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Beyond its religious roots, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by everything from shamrocks and leprechauns to corned beef and a spirited round (or two) of green beer.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Round Rock has a spirited arts scene, including public murals and sculptures in its downtown, as well as a brand-new creative hub called the City Arts Center.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
Christina Kay’s naive attachment to Fascist Italy formed a significant strand in her recreation as the high-spirited Jean Brodie in her brilliant pupil’s sixth and best-known work of fiction, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961).
—Miranda Seymour, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
The combat veterans of that era engaged in a spirited debate before giving Bush the authorization to invade Kuwait with 83 House Democrats joining 163 Republicans to pass the measure in a show of unity.
—Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Beyond its religious roots, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by everything from shamrocks and leprechauns to corned beef and a spirited round (or two) of green beer.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Round Rock has a spirited arts scene, including public murals and sculptures in its downtown, as well as a brand-new creative hub called the City Arts Center.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
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If left alone, the spacecraft will lose the race later this year and fall out of orbit, bringing a fiery end to its long scientific tenure.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
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This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Although Brixx operates a mix of corporate and franchised locations, its takeover of that space would make the lakefront livelier by putting patrons on the patio at night.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Max Verstappen snatched the torch from Lewis Hamilton and became one of the most unstoppable Formula 1 drivers in the sport from 2021 to 2024.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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This is the same person who cut off dribble-drives in a second-half effort that shut down Minnesota in the Sweet 16, who snatched a pass that was nearly out of bounds for a layup.—
Haley Sawyer,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The temperamental Moon and passionate Mars are in a spat, but their abrupt energy can have beneficial effects for your wider circle and your more intimate connections.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
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But Fieri, a passionate car collector, was cooking up something even more indulgent with the help of his friend Rory at VP Speed Shop.—
Terry Baddoo,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The energetic patrons witnessed a workman-like effort.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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But this was another contest that illustrated the growing familiarity with the manager’s system, as Kostas Mavropanos shone in the middle of a combative back three, while Mateus Fernandes brought defensive tenacity behind an energetic front three.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Abril was captured after a 33-hour manhunt.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Along with the album cover, the shared a new black and white portrait of himself, captured by daughter Mary McCartney.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While Robbie’s Cathy is spunky, stubborn, and independent, Elordi’s Heathcliff is brooding, desperate, and clingy.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
12 Feb. 2026
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The movie, released in May 1999, saw Fraser as treasure hunter who travels to Egypt in the 1920s with a spunky librarian, played by Weisz, only to accidentally awaken a supernaturally powerful high priest.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The popularity of the cards led to the creation of a toy line, which then spurred animated TV specials and, eventually, a TV series.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
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The animated film about a teenager who becomes a beaver to save her animal friends from a freeway construction project pulled in $88 million globally, including $46 million in North America.—
G. Allen Johnson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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