as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spunky
Ten weeks later, the short, spunky Canadian of Indian descent and mother of two walked into a conference room filled with owners of all 32 NFL teams — and did just that.
—
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Henry remembers Heather's mom as spunky and funny.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Surprisingly, the spunky wannabe warrior becomes the most consequential character in the third and possibly final movie of the blockbuster sci-fi franchise, whose previous two installments netted roughly $5 billion worldwide.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
One More Time saw a fusion of the rock legends’ classic sound and Harrison’s spunky spirit.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Henry remembers Heather's mom as spunky and funny.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Surprisingly, the spunky wannabe warrior becomes the most consequential character in the third and possibly final movie of the blockbuster sci-fi franchise, whose previous two installments netted roughly $5 billion worldwide.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
One More Time saw a fusion of the rock legends’ classic sound and Harrison’s spunky spirit.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
Adjective
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The pair relished the fiery spectacle.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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Six police officers and a semi-truck driver have been released from a local hospital after a fiery crash involving a car and a semi-truck Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Ford Road and Haggerty Road, near Interstate 275, in Canton.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The combat veterans of that era engaged in a spirited debate before giving Bush the authorization to invade Kuwait with 83 House Democrats joining 163 Republicans to pass the measure in a show of unity.—
Joe Garofoli,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
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Beyond its religious roots, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by everything from shamrocks and leprechauns to corned beef and a spirited round (or two) of green beer.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The temperamental Moon and passionate Mars are in a spat, but their abrupt energy can have beneficial effects for your wider circle and your more intimate connections.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
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But Fieri, a passionate car collector, was cooking up something even more indulgent with the help of his friend Rory at VP Speed Shop.—
Terry Baddoo,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The flavor then broadens through creamy mozzarella and peppery rocket to sweet pesto.—
Dominic Green,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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Take, for example, Mint Salsa Verde Potato and Chicken Salad with crisp cucumber and peppery arugula, a picnic mainstay.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Aerobic activities — such as brisk walking, cycling and rowing — can improve brain function, including for older adults who begin exercising later in life.—
Holly Haber,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The brisk pace does open the door for extra turnovers and momentum swings, which the Big Sky champions will try to manipulate.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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