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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 murder shocked Elliott’s family and friends, who described her as a vivacious, warm, loving woman. Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 While Lucie is warm, vivacious, and a ray of light that shines off the page, Aiden is a grumpy, reluctant romantic who hides behind sarcastic quips. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Misha, a girl whose brother has been conscripted to the frontlines, transforms from a vivacious teen to a gloomy one burdened with the latent possibility of tragedy. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025 Born with the sun and Venus in this vivacious Fire sign, her music is inspiring and captivating, more than often challenging listeners and fellow musicians of the same genre. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • The energy rises as the wrestler and the rapper take energetic strides and bounce to the ring.
    Shaheem Reid, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Our sun cycles through its pattern of energetic activity every 11 years, but the technology scientists use to observe is advancing at a faster pace.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The joyful reunion made everyone in the room smile, leaving no doubt that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
    Allison Moses, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In an emotional moment, his family celebrated the joyful occasion and were seen jumping and hugging one another.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His crossword is not themed, but the entry is lively nonetheless.
    Deb Amlen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Located right on the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s liveliest piazza built atop the ancient Roman Capitolium, this museum gives new life to a majestic 17th-century palazzo.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s also the massive spotlight Sanders has been in considering his father’s exuberant personality as a player and now a coach.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • After being picked, Golden made his way from the green room to the draft stage where Green Bay fans greeted him with exuberant cheers.
    Greg Bates, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Looney Tunes film, featuring Forte and John Cena opposite an animated Wile E. Coyote, became the most talked about movie in Hollywood in late 2023 when The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. intended to scrap the movie as part of a $115 million writedown.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Fox’s rollout includes return dates for animated series like Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy, as well as premieres for reality programs including MasterChef (returning for a 15th season dubbed Dynamic Duos) and unscripted newbie The Snake, hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies.
    Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of it could be that the group, led by effervescent frontwoman Michelle Zauner, was playing a lot of the material from their gorgeous and gutting new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) in the desert for the first time.
    John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The finish is long, smooth, and dry, with effervescent spicy notes.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett was the most active quarterback on the day, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 6-for-10 throwing performance.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The 1880s were the most active decade for U.S. hurricane landfalls on record.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Apr. 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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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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