as in playful
given to good-natured joking or teasing
a sportive pastor who began every sermon with a joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
her high-spirited sportiveness can sometimes distract her and others from serious work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sportive
Laura Manske, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
The rarest is the Sahafary sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), found in a tiny area in northern Madagascar.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2020
The remaining lineage split into the sportive lemurs (Lepilemuridae), and the dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae; right).
—Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011
His actions impact the reputation of his colleagues, sportive results, and eventually can be damaging to our game.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for sportive
Adjective
Revel, too, in more sportive jaunts, such as volcano hiking, horseback-riding, zip-lining, rappelling down waterfalls, fishing and white-water river rafting.
—Laura Manske, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
The rarest is the Sahafary sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), found in a tiny area in northern Madagascar.
—Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2020
The remaining lineage split into the sportive lemurs (Lepilemuridae), and the dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae; right).
—Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011
His actions impact the reputation of his colleagues, sportive results, and eventually can be damaging to our game.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for sportive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sportive
Adjective
-
As the twins of the zodiac, Gemini parents are playful, adaptable, and quick on their feet.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
-
White, who goes by Baby J, was described by cousin Raven Jackson as sweet, playful and charismatic.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Prior to that, Price was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct following an argument in which Price reportedly locked Coleman out of their home and began trashing his belongings.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
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Klein was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and was expected to appear Monday in Bridgeport Superior Court.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sportive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sportive. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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