SPRIGHTLY Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sprightly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsprīt-lē

Definition of sprightly next

as in lively

having much high-spirited energy and movement a sprightly child who often claims to be too tired to move when it's time to do chores

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sprightly

2 of 2

adverb

as in playfully

in a quick and spirited manner every morning the elderly couple sprightly sets out on a walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Io was the most volcanic object circling the sun; Europa’s sprightly terrain suggested something akin to plate tectonics had resurfaced the moon’s frozen face and shuffled material from the surface to the depths. —

Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024 Driving The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS Between its sprightly power, low curb weight and inherently great chassis, this top-spec BRZ was an absolute hoot to drive. —

Peter Nelson, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Five-year-olds and sprightly grandparents alike can pick up legs ranging from five to seven miles, averaging 2.15 to 4.5 walking hours per day, on a path that stretches from Silian in Gailtal to Liesing in Lesachtal. —

Astrid Därr, TIME, 25 July 2024 This has certainly been the case on red carpets recently: The best dressed stars of the week all slipped into designs that felt modern and elevated, ranging from slinky, minimalist slip dresses to bold cocktail dresses in sprightly florals. —

Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sprightly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprightly

Adjective

Of the label’s natural perfumes, Free 00 is arguably the most lively, smelling fresh, soothing, and citrus-forward through notes of Sicilian lemon, mandarin, and orange flower opposite Egyptian jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood, and waterlily.

Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2024
Enjoy a night of lively Latin music, domino tables and the signature BACARDÍ x BIGFACE Café Con Ocho cocktail, a Miami twist on the classic Espresso Martini, at Byblos.

Sommer Brugal, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024