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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

Examples 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 Flintlock: Siege of Dawn is even more accessible: quippy and vivacious, pairing magic with a steampunk aesthetic and a series of arresting, earthy locales. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024 Silverman, an elderly and vivacious former Radio City ballerina, lived alone after the death of her banker husband. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 Once Venus joins Mercury in Leo on July 11, your fifth house of romance and passion projects will be further energized, contributing to your vivacious charisma. Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024 The restaurant’s founder, a vivacious sexagenarian named Janez Bratovž, is arguably Slovenia’s most storied chef, and his establishment is widely considered the country’s oldest fine-dining destination. Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vivacious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • The model of leaning on external policing, rather than paid fact-checking, takes a page from the policies adopted by X under the control of Elon Musk, who bought the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022 and has since emerged as one of Trump’s most energetic — and influential — supporters.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The tone of the film also matched Aubrey so much as an artist, and her energetic match was so perfect to me.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Kelce’s offensive explosion elicited joyful reactions from his superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, who took in the game from a suite, alongside WNBA phenom - and lifelong Chiefs fan – Caitlin Clark.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The initial sight of Clark and Swift in a suite together after the pop star previously extended an invitation to Clark months ago provided a joyful dose of fan service for some.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • From Ali’s perspective, this story is a quintessential Black ‘Dena story: eco-conscious, family orientated, spiritually vibrant, and lively — even in death.
    Keyaira Kelly, refinery29.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Grover Grover is a lively and enthusiastic blue monster who loves exploring and going on new adventures.
    Casey Clark, Parents, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Tascioni is an exuberant person by nature, which many antagonists mistake for naivete.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • And the city’s best season, the exuberant weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, was on its way.
    Rick Rojas, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike the Oscars, however, the ADG Awards are split between contemporary, animated, period, and fantasy films.
    Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
  • At the other end of the spectrum, Latvia and Thailand both made history with the former’s animated fantasy Flow and the latter’s How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, a tear-jerking comedy-drama that has been a box office sensation.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • There are a number of love stories here — Joe and Sugar figuring out if romance can conquer deception, Joe and Jerry testing their lifelong bond in the face of major personal change, and Daphne rebuffing and then reconsidering the effervescent millionaire Osgood (Edward Juvier).
    Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Even better news for those seeking the rebirth of a traditionally heroic Big Blue Boy Scout: Gunn has cited Grant Morrison’s effervescent All-Star Superman as his chief inspiration for the movie.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • People who have lost their Los Angeles homes or are in an active evacuation zone should email donations@pacaso.com.
    Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2025
  • North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has taken a more belligerent stand in world politics during the Biden administration, abandoning its Trump-era defensive posture in favor of active cooperation with its few allies.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The difference is subtle, but the fine filter creates milk that's a bit bubblier than the ultrafine filter.
    Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
  • But concerts also start feeling poppier and bubblier in springtime, perhaps in anticipation of the even warmer, wilder and grander music events of festival-frenzied summertime.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near vivacious

Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

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