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
But in January 2021, Hurley watched as her usually spunky youngest daughter began experiencing nose bleeds and prolonged bouts of lethargy.
—
Johnny Dodd, People.com, 15 June 2025
Several creators have reintroduced their audiences to the aesthetic, either through spunky explainers or by paying creative homage to the style.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, Mel B’s style was bold, spunky, and flirtatious.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 21 May 2025
With her spunky, outgoing nature, Li’Niaha loves making new friends at daycare to play with.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
Johnny Dodd, People.com, 15 June 2025
Several creators have reintroduced their audiences to the aesthetic, either through spunky explainers or by paying creative homage to the style.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, Mel B’s style was bold, spunky, and flirtatious.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 21 May 2025
With her spunky, outgoing nature, Li’Niaha loves making new friends at daycare to play with.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
Adjective
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Northrop Grumman saw some fiery drama during a test of a more powerful version of the solid rocket booster that would be used if NASA’s Artemis program ever gets to its ninth launch using the beleaguered Space Launch System rocket.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
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Bringing together the best of his indie-rock stylings off 2023’s Blanket with the fiery hip-hop lyricism of 2019’s Arizona Baby, Blush feels like the culmination of a lifetime’s work on Abstract’s part.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Meet Mala, a spirited dog who lives life to the fullest and loves hard.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2025
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Mexico will be happy to take all three points to open its Concacaf Gold Cup title defense, with the Dominican Republic providing a spirited challenge in its first-ever Gold Cup match.—
Jon Arnold,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The greatest scientists of any age have always been those most passionate about their field — most drawn to the transcendence reflected in their studies — those whose lives were as great as their work.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
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And although the show was fairly undersold, the band's passionate fanbase was rewarded with a great spectacle of a show.—
Cal Roach,
jsonline.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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With a balsamic glaze, a little parm, and peppery arugula, this meal is light and fresh while maintaining top-tier flavor.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2025
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The result is a harmonious interplay of flavors, where hints of caramel and vanilla intertwine with peppery rye and a subtle malty backbone, all culminating in a smooth, 100-proof finish.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The finish is brisk with balanced acidity and a soft texture.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Examples of beneficial exercise include brisk walking, running, or cycling.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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