sprightly 1 of 2

sprightly

2 of 2

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sprightly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sprightly are animated, gay, lively, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When might animated be a better fit than sprightly?

In some situations, the words animated and sprightly are roughly equivalent. However, animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When is it sensible to use gay instead of sprightly?

The meanings of gay and sprightly largely overlap; however, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Where would lively be a reasonable alternative to sprightly?

While the synonyms lively and sprightly are close in meaning, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When is vivacious a more appropriate choice than sprightly?

Although the words vivacious and sprightly have much in common, vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

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 sprightly
Adjective
Her voluminous silhouettes take up space and demand to be noticed, as do her sprightly florals or upbeat silky pastels. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024 For the track, Kendrick jumping jacks over a track that turns a Debbie Deb classic into a sprightly hyphy anthem. Peter A. Berry, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprightly
Adjective
  • In February, a lively and well-attended protest march took over the streets of downtown McAllen; a news site compared it to a celebration after a high-school-football victory.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 7 July 2025
  • The music was lively, and the people were friendly.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Both Explorer’s Lounge and the Pinnacle Bar are on the quieter side, while Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard have live music and a more energetic vibe, particularly later in the evening.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
  • That coherence is a physical, energetic property in one’s mind-body system.
    Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The firm, which was founded three years ago by Julian Jacob, will then focus on transforming other toy brands into animated and live-action series, digital shorts, casual and mobile games, and immersive formats designed for today’s digitally native generation.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • Martinsen described Arlo as an unusually animated and communicative baby.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The finish is brisk with balanced acidity and a soft texture.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Examples of beneficial exercise include brisk walking, running, or cycling.
    Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The advisory was active for Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
  • It's rapidly become one of Europe's most active firms, drawing capital from powerhouses like J. Rothschild Capital Management and MIT, and boasting a portfolio that includes unicorns like $2 billion Mercor and $1.3 billion LinkTree.
    Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • No matter its age and despite its survival being dependent on machines, just like its mother, the fetus is entirely animate.
    Lindsey Breitwieser, The Conversation, 1 July 2025
  • That early and incisive stance on monopoly power foreshadows the themes that animate Market Crafters.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprightly. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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