Definition of vivaciousnext
1
2

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 In a broadly sweet, vivacious and gorgeously sung set Tuesday, that sentiment revealed the moral clarity that bolsters her songs about devotion and intimacy. Los Angeles Times, 15 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 Costume designer Shirley Kurata uses texture, detail, and vivacious colors to create elaborate artworks that the hair and makeup department has complemented with aplomb, creating visually arresting results. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • Manzambi is seen as dynamic, energetic, a strong ball-carrier and importantly, versatile.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Thanksgiving always has produced an interesting dynamic with five tall, energetic kids circling for a turkey leg.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Rather than install a conventional luxury department-store anchor, Fontainebleau chose a retailer built around ease and joyful discovery.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Four years have passed in joyful ways— Wouldst stay those old times dear?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The sightlines are good and the atmosphere lively, confirming the potential of Plymouth, the biggest city in the country never to have hosted a top-flight football club.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Shipley-Welter remembers when the town was more lively, with open storefronts and a nearby grocery store.
    Julianna Mejia August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Corey Holland, Kamarie’s father, said his daughter was an exuberant 5-year-old who loved princesses and made people laugh.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This means a skeptic who fought the crowd by sitting out the exuberant, bear-gutting rally of late-2020 to late-2021 was redeemed and granted an allotment of bragging rights (which expired almost immediately).
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Bautista has several other movies coming up, Alpha Gang, which premieres at the Toronto Film Festival; the animated Ally; and Highlander.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Although animated sequels have majorly rebounded at the box office, original fare remains challenged.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Along with the star, Bergamote 22 expertly blends in grapefruit and petitgrain for an effervescent opening, combined with white tea notes for extra freshness, plus a woody backbone of vetiver paired with amber and musk.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026
  • With her effervescent directorial debut, Meyer announces herself as a cinematic Caterpillar for the Alice in Wonderlands of our time.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Yellowstone remains an active volcano Yellowstone sits above a hotspot where heat from deep inside Earth melts rock beneath the crust.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Passengers are mostly active adult couples looking for a romantic interlude in the relaxed atmosphere of a yacht.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fresh lemon juice cuts through the sweetness, while a crown of sparkling wine lifts the pour into a crisp, bubbly finish.
    Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The other is a bubbly substance scientists believe is secreted to smother small predators and/or wash them out of the shell.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on vivacious

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!