sprightly 1 of 2

sprightly

2 of 2

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sprightly contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sprightly are animated, gay, lively, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When might animated be a better fit than sprightly?

In some situations, the words animated and sprightly are roughly equivalent. However, animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When is it sensible to use gay instead of sprightly?

The meanings of gay and sprightly largely overlap; however, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Where would lively be a reasonable alternative to sprightly?

While the synonyms lively and sprightly are close in meaning, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When is vivacious a more appropriate choice than sprightly?

Although the words vivacious and sprightly have much in common, vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

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 sprightly
Adjective
Her voluminous silhouettes take up space and demand to be noticed, as do her sprightly florals or upbeat silky pastels. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024 For the track, Kendrick jumping jacks over a track that turns a Debbie Deb classic into a sprightly hyphy anthem. Peter A. Berry, Variety, 24 Nov. 2024 In this sprightly sequel to the 2018 hit, Harrelson has a blast as a deranged killer who is transformed into the monstrous Carnage, a symbiote as powerful as Venom. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 14 July 2024 Through a melodic flow of political parlance and an impressive stable of sprightly actors, creator Debora Cahn stages a spirited play about political relationships — and relationship politics — that never feels stodgy or stupefying, despite an ungodly amount of dialogue. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for sprightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprightly
Adjective
  • Yanga features the vibrant colors, lively rhythms, melodic tunes, and bold concepts of Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 July 2025
  • Visitors are always welcome to join the event for a lively meeting filled with camaraderie, inspiring guest speakers, and a delicious lunch.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Together, the data reveals different layers of the galaxy's structure and energetic processes, highlighted by bright gold light in the image.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 July 2025
  • The image of a tiny hamster running endlessly on a spinning wheel has become an iconic part of owning these small, energetic animals.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Netflix’s deal with Ubisoft got underway in 2020 and includes multiple Assassin’s Creed projects, including animated and anime series inspired by the games.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 July 2025
  • The two animated companions are available to anyone, including Grok users without a paid subscription, but users must opt in through the app’s settings to get access.
    David Ingram, NBC news, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Making a brisk morning walk in the sun part of your daily routine can be a grounding, enjoyable experience.
    Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025
  • When measuring the nation's collective fitness, the good news is Americans are more likely to take a brisk walk, play pickleball or lift weights.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Tony Finau is tied with Xander Schauffele for the longest active streak of Tour Championship appearances with eight straight East Lake appearances.
    Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • How to check the air quality in Wisconsin The DNR has interactive air quality maps, which show the AQI and any active alerts or advisories by county.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Character models in the distance no longer animate at a lower frame rate than those in the foreground.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
  • No matter its age and despite its survival being dependent on machines, just like its mother, the fetus is entirely animate.
    Lindsey Breitwieser, The Conversation, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sprightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprightly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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