1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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Host Jennifer Lopez opened the show with an energetic dance number to a medley that included a mashup of songs by Beyoncé, Eilish, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan and more.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
-
Rod Stewart, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, closed out the evening with an energetic performance.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Ethan just held onto a plane in mid-air, beat the bad guy, and defeated a god-like artificial intelligence averting the fiery nuclear death of all humanity.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
As Mars meets with Venus in a fiery trine, this sizzling synergy activates your 10th house of authority and publicity and sixth house of due diligence.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, an animated Predator movie called Predator: Killer of Killers is coming to Hulu this summer.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 June 2025
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Even with Bailey singing her lovestruck heart out, Rob Marshall's redo doesn't make the same refreshing splash as the 1989 animated classic but gets points for trying with a more logical narrative.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Whether American retirees have enough savings and benefits to live comfortably in retirement is, however, a matter of spirited debate.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Following a series of spirited performances in the finale, the votes were counted, and Fradiani was declared the winner.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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In lieu of bunking in the 4,000-square-foot Lord House, built in 1962 just off of Mulholland Drive, rent it out by the hour and host a lively pool party.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2025
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Thus began a lively rivalry with Lee, who quickly learned Clemens possesses a killer serve.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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With her spunky, outgoing nature, Li’Niaha loves making new friends at daycare to play with.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2025
-
Moto Moto, run by the spunky Rashida (Arica Jackson) and emceed by the exuberant Ahmed (Nick Rashad Burroughs) becomes a hotbed of heterogeneity (there’s even a shaman) in a culture that is otherwise intolerant of mixing.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Such seemingly minor biographical details are what animate L’Enchanteur, which was born in 2012 after Soull and Dynasty merged their independent labels—Alkhemi9 and BRZÉ, respectively.—
Thessaly La Force,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2025
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Users do have creative freedom — freedom to learn to draw, animate, write, score, or direct their own projects.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The wistful cover makes the case for focusing more on the ballad and less on the power, aspect associated with the passionate love song.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
30 May 2025
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His passionate pursuit of public service, driven by principle and purpose and not self-aggrandizement, was Gerry’s secret sauce.—
Paul Laudicina,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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