1
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
the town meeting featured a spirited debate about the proposed ban on skateboarding in the plaza downtown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement
a team known for its spirited and in-your-face basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spirited
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
This is a spirited and sweet spin on classic material that deserves kudos for its balance of necessary updates and affection for the old ways.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Since the revolution, the group has expanded to volunteerism, establishing a local public park and hosting spirited debates.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2025
With a spunky and spirited attitude, Abby approaches each performance with an infectious enthusiasm that elevates her role and inspires those around her.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Adjective
Wes Moore paces the sideline of a spirited and well-calibrated NC State Wolfpack.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
This is a spirited and sweet spin on classic material that deserves kudos for its balance of necessary updates and affection for the old ways.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
Since the revolution, the group has expanded to volunteerism, establishing a local public park and hosting spirited debates.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2025
With a spunky and spirited attitude, Abby approaches each performance with an infectious enthusiasm that elevates her role and inspires those around her.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirited
Adjective
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After speaker introductions, a panel of state officials and medical providers fielded questions from the media, and Larson stepped up to answer the first one, speaking in his typical fiery rhetoric.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2025
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Azealia Banks and Wale found themselves in a fiery social media clash this week, sparked by an unrelated response to Wale’s X post.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The same subject stirred up a lively debate in the Vogue Slack channel.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
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The 2025 season has brought a lively atmosphere, with a strong law enforcement presence to ensure safety.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Livvy Dunne gave a passionate testimony during a final hearing regarding the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
AFAR Media,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Chamberlin oversaw the spiritual and energetic cleansing of each fragrance during a final ceremonial step.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Higher temperatures generally mean more energetic particles and a higher rate of collisions, leading to brighter auroras.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When he was captured, the suspect had a lighter in his pocket.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
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Images of the suspect were captured on officers' body cameras, as that person stayed on the scene after the incident, sitting on a nearby bench.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the rebellious young Jim Hopper, the son of the town police chief, can’t seem to do anything right; the spunky Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and leave town, stat (but still has a thing for bad boys); and the tech nerd Bob is hopelessly in love with her.—
Sarah Bahr,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Trawling through the bowels of the luxury resort, the prez has some allies with her (Manny, the Chinese First Lady, the spunky head of the International Monetary Fund) and some duds (Douglas Hodge as the British Prime Minister, cast here as a moron with some wonderful comic relief).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even though that last one was over a decade ago now, Frost has been in loads of projects since then, including doing a lot of voicework for animated endeavors.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Kevin Conroy, most famously the eternal voice of Batman in animated and video game projects for decades, sadly passed away in 2022 from cancer.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
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Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirited. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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