as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement
a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in playfully
in a quick and spirited manner
every morning the elderly couple sprightly sets out on a walk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprightly
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Plus, nearby, do check out the Nice Pam Hotel as well—a more youthful and modern offering designed in sprightly shades of pastels.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Adjective
Eventually, the movement realized that using the old instruments in sprightly, imaginative and contemporary ways instead made the music sound newly vital, and even more so when the staging was startlingly up to date.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Plus, nearby, do check out the Nice Pam Hotel as well—a more youthful and modern offering designed in sprightly shades of pastels.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025
Adverb
Rice was playing at an All-Pro level last year before suffering a torn ACL, second-year receiver Xavier Worthy is always improving and even tight end Travis Kelce is appearing more sprightly than last campaign.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprightly
Adjective
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In the evening, the rooftop Art Bar came alive with DJs, creative cocktails, and a lively social atmosphere that catered to generations both young and old.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
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Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Disney Channel series, which released new episodes Monday through Friday at the height of its popularity, would see its energetic teen stars perform a blend of musical performances and sketch comedy routines.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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Absent replacing party sinecurists with able, energetic people, nothing can keep candidates from adopting this agenda on their own—as some younger primary challengers of Democratic incumbents are already starting to do.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite being a pretty great animated sitcom in its own right, Dispatch will need to quickly start leaning further into its immersive elements to justify its place (and price tag) among a crowded streaming landscape.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
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Veneziale’s dad is often responsible for picking up items further afield, such as an animated phantom that had been listed on Facebook Marketplace.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Zone 2 cardio is moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or cycling—done at about 60% to 70% of your max heart rate.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
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The 12-time Academy Award nominee and the model both bundled up for brisk weather, as both Cooper and Hadid wore coats, sunglasses and Cooper capped a beanie over his head.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But most deer versus vehicle crashes are the result of breeding season, when bucks are active and increasing their movement.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
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According to the survey, active news consumers tended to be older, left-leaning viewers of cable news.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In his work, everything is animate, everything has a soul, everything has a story.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
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In his account of an Essex owl evening, all senses seem to merge, and all distinction between animate and inanimate disappears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprightly. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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