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
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 14 July 2024
Through a melodic flow of political parlance and an impressive stable of sprightly actors, creator Debora Cahn stages a spirited play about political relationships — and relationship politics — that never feels stodgy or stupefying, despite an ungodly amount of dialogue.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
It’s filled with colorful side characters, like the sprightly Pinky, whose zest for life has not been tempered by her own past tragedies.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Eco does its best to up efficiency; Normal is set up to give sprightly performance without draining the battery; Sport gives sharper performance and turns the instruments red; and Snow is designed to keep the car in check when the white stuff falls.
—Alex Goy, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Adjective
In this sprightly sequel to the 2018 hit, Harrelson has a blast as a deranged killer who is transformed into the monstrous Carnage, a symbiote as powerful as Venom.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 14 July 2024
Through a melodic flow of political parlance and an impressive stable of sprightly actors, creator Debora Cahn stages a spirited play about political relationships — and relationship politics — that never feels stodgy or stupefying, despite an ungodly amount of dialogue.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
It’s filled with colorful side characters, like the sprightly Pinky, whose zest for life has not been tempered by her own past tragedies.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Eco does its best to up efficiency; Normal is set up to give sprightly performance without draining the battery; Sport gives sharper performance and turns the instruments red; and Snow is designed to keep the car in check when the white stuff falls.
—Alex Goy, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprightly
Adjective
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His crossword is not themed, but the entry is lively nonetheless.—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Located right on the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s liveliest piazza built atop the ancient Roman Capitolium, this museum gives new life to a majestic 17th-century palazzo.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The energy rises as the wrestler and the rapper take energetic strides and bounce to the ring.—
Shaheem Reid,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
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The rest of the evening was largely an energetic affair that oscillated between sincere appreciation and light humor, the latter of which began for co-host and winner Gold early in the event.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Looney Tunes film, featuring Forte and John Cena opposite an animated Wile E. Coyote, became the most talked about movie in Hollywood in late 2023 when The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. intended to scrap the movie as part of a $115 million writedown.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
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Fox’s rollout includes return dates for animated series like Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy, as well as premieres for reality programs including MasterChef (returning for a 15th season dubbed Dynamic Duos) and unscripted newbie The Snake, hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies.—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Think: a brisk stair climb between Zoom calls, a few yoga stretches before breakfast, or a quick round of squats at the top of each hour.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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While its cozy fabric will serve you well on brisk spring evenings, its lightweight design is easy to throw over your shoulders for added texture once temperatures rise.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett was the most active quarterback on the day, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 6-for-10 throwing performance.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2025
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The 1880s were the most active decade for U.S. hurricane landfalls on record.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Users do have creative freedom — freedom to learn to draw, animate, write, score, or direct their own projects.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
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Charcuterie and cheese, potatoes and onions, meat and offal: These are the ingredients that animate Harris’s chalkboard menu, all old friends, treated with a grandmotherly mix of tenderness and brawn.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprightly. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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