SPUNKY Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

spunky

adjective

ˈspəŋ-kē

Definition of spunky

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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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 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 An antiheroic smuggler, a spunky princess and a farmboy with big dreams. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 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

Adjective

Admired for their striking beauty, the fiery blossoms of the peacock flower have long captured the attention of people across the Atlantic world.

— Kari Traylor, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2026
The testimony followed years of fiery disputes between Paul and Fauci — both medical doctors — over the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the origins of the virus that caused it.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

Nonalcoholic drinks are given as much care as the spirited cocktails; try the lemon-lavender-ginger Root Chakra for a sophisticated alternative.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
Many of those exchanges turned into spirited debate — and, at several points, unexpected common ground that seemed to surprise both men.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026

Definition of spirited

Adjective

Demián is a tireless advocate for immigrants and Danny is a passionate champion of Latino voices and stories.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
The twelve-time Olympic medalist is passionate about making sure that people like her are not kept out of the pool because of their condition.

— Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of passionate

Adjective

The problem, of course, is that this newfound speed arrived in a world whose lighting technology had not quite caught up with the idea of vehicles moving at more than a brisk trot.

— Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Sales have been brisk for state lottery games after a brief period where inflation apparently caused consumers to dial back purchases of scratch-off tickets.

— Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

spunkiness

spunky

spur

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“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of spunky

adjective

Example Sentences

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