Definition of vivaciousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vivacious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vivacious are animated, gay, lively, and sprightly. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

When is animated a more appropriate choice than vivacious?

Although the words animated and vivacious have much in common, animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

Where would gay be a reasonable alternative to vivacious?

The words gay and vivacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use lively instead of vivacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to vivacious, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When could sprightly be used to replace vivacious?

The synonyms sprightly and vivacious are sometimes interchangeable, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

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 vivacious The First Omen and Servant star Free leads the ensemble as Isabel Archer, a vivacious New World ingénue who leaves America for Old World Europe, keen to experience all that life has to offer. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026 Game of Thrones star Tiger Free will play Isabel Archer, the vivacious New World ingénue who leaves America for Old World Europe, keen to experience all that life has to offer. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 July 2026 What happens when a vivacious, perky, wannabe actress moves across the hall from two Caltech physicists whose idea of a big Saturday night is a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons? Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 The vivacious hue is warm, energizing, and impossible to ignore. Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • McQueen proves himself a masterful stylist of the modern blockbuster with this energetic action-thriller.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Colombian folk-pop band is known in the Latin music world for catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics and energetic live shows.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Lea Salonga celebrated her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, marking a joyful moment in her storied career and becoming the first Filipina to be recognized with the honor.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sanguinetti frames Guillermina and Belinda’s presence as a joyful intervention into this world, one where play can coexist with labor.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Broad, a lively character on the field during his playing days, then starts talking about personas.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Vendors and growers carry in their selections from different parts of the city and greater New England, making the lively market feel like a center for the region’s resurgence of artisan crafts and family farming.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Done well, this will make concrete what was amorphous for the exuberant, empower the reluctant and define your moral and ethical codes for the fearful.
    Elias Stahl, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In a handful of impressively resonant scenes with King, Kylie gives Gillian an entire new generation to encourage toward the messy exuberant existence that Sally, at least in the sequel’s first few acts, vows to keep at bay.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Both players are intense and animated competitors, and their fan bases' are fiercely loyal.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • David helped with a connection with Garner Holt Productions, which designs animated figures, show systems and special effects for major theme parks worldwide.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The effervescent fizz of Ocean’s Eleven came as a bit of a surprise at the time, though Soderbergh has since established himself as one of the most versatile filmmakers in modern movie history.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Different perspective Matthew is typically a high-energy, effervescent and extroverted kid.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The proposal is a significant departure from the original fund idea, which was created in the 1990s to help low-income parents remain active in the workforce by subsidizing childcare.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Labor Day Headphones Deals Apple’s AirPods Max 2 deliver an exceptional combination of high-fidelity acoustics and pro-grade active noise cancellation.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The shop’s 12 bubbly livestream hosts have turned into micro-celebrities.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This dynamic complements the friendly camaraderie between Maki and Omura, the former of whom is a bubbly girl and the latter a more laidback, blue-skinned male humanoid with horns.
    George Yang, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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