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 More than fame or a microphone, the vivacious entertainer hopes her daughter finds a worthwhile sense of purpose. Bryan West, USA Today, 10 May 2026 The flower, which radiates positivity and joy, encourages Leo to showcase their vivacious personality. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 The two were in India on a mother-daughter trip, with Orna pressing pause on caretaker duties to join the vivacious, outgoing Gali on her nomadic travels through Southeast Asia. Alison Herman, Variety, 8 May 2026 In the original musical, nightclub star Linda Low, played in the movie by Nancy Kwan, is a beautiful, vivacious and talented performer. Marla Jo Fisher, Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • Platini had star quality, but Infantino was an energetic administrator with a noticeable gift for languages.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • We were joined by İsmet Öztanık, the energetic third-generation hotelier behind the Avantgarde Refined brand, which also includes a sister Bodrum property alongside the family’s larger Avantgarde Collection portfolio.
    Anya von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • The service The staff are gentle but also fun, witty and joyful, such as Rini, who can answer almost any question on Bawah; Nintya who handles landscaping and permaculture; and the waiter Julian, who likes to practice his English accent.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Pride Month is both a joyful celebration and a serious political reminder that LGBTQIA people are here and deserve the same rights as everyone else.
    Allison Hope, Parents, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Food and drink The lobby lounge always seems to have a coffee and cocktail menu at hand, and that’s why the area stays lively from morning to night.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Also enjoy tours of the Nectar Garden, lively puppet shows, special presentations about pollinators, family-friendly nature crafts and live music.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Blue-and-white interiors are exuberant (nothing nautical-twee here) and new-school Aussie.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Fonseca, the player who everybody knows can detonate a tennis ball, whom everybody has seen grow too exuberant in tight moments, hit a drop shot.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • In recent years, Hollywood decided adult comedies were not good bets in movie theaters, and instead focused heavily on superheroes and animated films.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
  • Toons boom across the Croisette this year, with colorful features opening Critics’ Week, closing Directors’ Fortnight, and appearing across nearly every section — further cementing Cannes’ status as a premier launchpad for animated cinema.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Today, Nakonechna is quick-witted and effervescent, her laughter loud and sudden.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 May 2026
  • In late April, a group of women with jangly earrings and effervescent energy sat in a beer garden in San Antonio with plastic cups of red wine in front of them.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a real sense of place here, from the apple chip snacks served in the relaxation room to the glass oblong of a gym, where active folk can pound the treadmill while watching the gardeners at work.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Due to the active investigation, Elk Grove Florin Road was closed from Calvine Road to Heritage Hill Drive through the morning.
    Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mika Abdalla’s Allie Hayes is the bubbly bestie of Season 1 lead Hannah.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 May 2026
  • Head to Pleasanton’s Museum on Main to start this country fest-meets-everything bubbly celebration.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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