SPIRITED Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

spirited 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspir-ə-təd

Definition of spirited

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

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

spirited

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spirit

as in snatched

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Adjective

Then Traitors star Maura Higgins lifted the mood with a spirited jig in honor of her beloved home country of Ireland. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2026 From this spirited competition emerged two progenitors of modern horror, science fiction, and fantasy. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 However, this is a far cry from earlier times when lawmakers met regularly, participated in spirited and substantive policy discussions, enjoyed informal dinners and even carpooled back home during congressional breaks. — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Rather than pitching himself, Cruz is making a spirited case for the Republican Senate bid of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spirited

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited

Adjective

Statewide Democratic contenders delivered fiery appeals, recording artist Janelle Monáe brought a bass-thumping performance and the Clark Atlanta University marching band nearly brought down the house.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Remembering Dolores Huerta The fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers, and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

Fashion brands have been experimenting with livelier and more unconventional footwear designs in general lately, and that means interesting uses of color.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
No changes to the dinos, but the lighting overall felt more lively and theatrical.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lively

Adjective

The colors are dour and muted, and the yearnings of the two elder Dashwood sisters—the self-abnegating Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the passionate Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles, a gimlet-eyed standout)—often play out in drearily candlelit rooms.

— Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
The Bulgari staff is notably passionate about this garden and volunteers there on a regular basis.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of passionate

Verb

Since no party has ever captured a parliamentary majority on its own, party leaders must agree to come together in a governing coalition.

— Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Along the way, the former leaders of the AI trade, captured in the iShares AI Innovation ETF, have collapsed by 35 percentage points relative to the equal-weight S&P 500, then regained half the loss, then gave up most of that bounce.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of captured

Adjective

Houk won $100 in a university contest for her unusual spunky character, which has a tough-guy body under his sun flare for a head.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Susan was a spunky fan favorite on the inaugural Golden Bachelor season.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of spunky

Adjective

There’s this desire, understandable on its face, to make the design and aesthetics of the live-action world recognizably similar to the animated world.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
The face is customizable with various colorways, clock fonts, and photos; there’s also an animated Snoopy, whose antics change with the weather and the holidays.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026