spunky

adjective

ˈspəŋ-kē How to pronounce spunky (audio)
Definition of spunkynext
as in spirited
marked by a lively display of strong feeling a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spunky The spunky comedy streaming service couldn’t hit the mainstream enough to attract voters, despite some very funny programming. — William Earl, Variety, 8 July 2026 Maki is spunky and more tomboy-ish, while Omura is the more straightlaced and serious of the two. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 7 July 2026 Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer with one out in the seventh inning, as the Rays rallied for a 4-3 win and a series victory over a spunky Nationals team. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026 Nothing freshens up a spunky short haircut like fringe. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
  1. spirited
  2. fiery
  3. passionate
  4. peppery
  5. brisk
Adjective
  • The painting, appearing at auction for the first time, prompted applause and a spirited contest involving Christie’s London specialist Edmond Francey and at least three other specialists bidding by telephone.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The ceremony was a warm, high-spirited event, with each jury member inviting one winner up on stage to ask them about their films and creative process.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirited
Adjective
  • Bongulo Paneer — cooked in bamboo, served with a coconut and capsicum poriyal that blends peanut chutney, acidic gongura sour cream and fiery gunpowder.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • An 18-year-old Ida resident was killed after a fiery crash on Thursday morning in Monroe County, Michigan.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • Fans were insanely passionate and regionally focused, and the game reflected that.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Seeing what resonates with consumers and how that translates into numbers is something Fields has long been passionate about.
    — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • Ida Mae Cullen, the peppery widow of poet Countee Cullen, pipes up to remind the group, vigorously, that the Harlem Renaissance really lasted for just one decade, the 1920s, though its ripples began years before and resonated for decades after.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • His pastrami is flavored with the earthy, peppery hallmarks of ras el hanout, while the brisket eats like low-and-slow Texas barbecue, but with the sweet and savory notes of a traditional Ashkenazi brisket recipe.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of peppery
Adjective
  • Though the Scandi brand was selling at a brisk pace to her online customers, Stover knew the economics weren’t going to work for the long term if every reorder was saddled with that kind of extra cost.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The final product is a rousing, brisk, and genuinely inspiring biopic that never feels like homework.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

spunkiness
spunky
spur
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Cite this Entry

“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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