as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Since releasing her debut album last year, Ella Langley and her spunky New Traditionalist country have left their mark on Nashville.
—
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Guest starring alongside the awesome friends is the legendary Jackée Harry, who voices Granny Williams–Riri’s spunky grandmother.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
Alongside Shatner as the eponymous police sergeant and war veteran, the series featured a younger cast of spunky recruits, played by Heather Locklear, Adrian Zmed and James Darren.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Las Vegas may have finished the season 21-4, but California looks really spunky for a playoff run.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Guest starring alongside the awesome friends is the legendary Jackée Harry, who voices Granny Williams–Riri’s spunky grandmother.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
Alongside Shatner as the eponymous police sergeant and war veteran, the series featured a younger cast of spunky recruits, played by Heather Locklear, Adrian Zmed and James Darren.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Las Vegas may have finished the season 21-4, but California looks really spunky for a playoff run.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
Adjective
-
Fans have pointed to the former Big Machine label boss, who oversaw Swift’s early career and later clashed with her over ownership of her masters, as the likely target of this fiery track.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Investigators have since concluded that the item initially thought to be an explosive was debris from a fiery vehicle crash.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even its most mean-spirited plotline, in which a married couple assemble a fake theater production to humiliate their ex-neighbor whose noisiness prompted them to move, is presented as more of a gentle exercise in silliness than anything truly vindictive.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Swamp is notoriously rowdy and spirited, but there’s still plenty for families to do in Gainesville, game day or not.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As his star has risen, the performer born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has become the most passionate and effective ambassador in Puerto Rican history.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Stay open to rapid communication, travel opportunities, or passionate connections.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Turnips can be roasted with other root vegetables to bring out their sweetness or blended into mashed potatoes to add a peppery bite.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Now, peppery and earthy notes, with whispers of charred oak, are detectable.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Vasilas attributes the brisk business to not having a lot of competition for the kind of service Ted’s Clothiers offers.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Leisurely walking, especially for short distances, may not be enough to get the full potential benefit compared with walking longer distances at a brisker pace.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share