as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
the dance company has an infectious esprit that captivates audiences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 esprit
This is as it should be, given the virtuosic esprit of Thallon’s performance.
—
Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
In power, their Cheka harnessed the esprit of a military-religious order of knights with the atrocious violence of a gangster hit squad.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
As hip-hop rose from an underground phenomenon to a global vernacular, that esprit—of being the best, the baddest, the most beautiful—never vanished.
—Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2021
Each outfit in the show is accompanied by a headpiece that features a corresponding term, such as esprit, vitality, and self-determination.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2021
The assembly has moved online because of the coronavirus, compounding the pandemic's blows to the city's economy and worldly esprit.
—Jennifer Peltz, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020
Longtime residents credit the company for the city’s somewhat international esprit and a level of spoken English beyond even the already-high Finnish norm (the city’s street names—Machine Alley; Adapter Street—are more unambiguous).
—Natasha Frost, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2019
College deans wanted to establish the same esprit-de-corps within houses as could be found in an exclusive fraternity, but that required engineering.
—Carla Yanni, Smithsonian, 6 Sep. 2019
Houman Barekat, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
In power, their Cheka harnessed the esprit of a military-religious order of knights with the atrocious violence of a gangster hit squad.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
As hip-hop rose from an underground phenomenon to a global vernacular, that esprit—of being the best, the baddest, the most beautiful—never vanished.
—Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2021
Each outfit in the show is accompanied by a headpiece that features a corresponding term, such as esprit, vitality, and self-determination.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2021
The assembly has moved online because of the coronavirus, compounding the pandemic's blows to the city's economy and worldly esprit.
—Jennifer Peltz, Star Tribune, 21 Sep. 2020
Longtime residents credit the company for the city’s somewhat international esprit and a level of spoken English beyond even the already-high Finnish norm (the city’s street names—Machine Alley; Adapter Street—are more unambiguous).
—Natasha Frost, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2019
College deans wanted to establish the same esprit-de-corps within houses as could be found in an exclusive fraternity, but that required engineering.
—Carla Yanni, Smithsonian, 6 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for esprit
Noun
-
During all winters, conifers need occasional watering when the ground is not frozen to maintain plant vigor and to keep their needles intact.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Divide spring-blooming bulbs to restore vigor, prevent overcrowding, and increase flowering.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Renewable energy Iggo is also keen on renewable energy, citing a recovery in stocks this year, driven by the massive demand for electricity coming from the AI trade, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.—
Michael Considine,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
As the Moon in Scorpio trines Jupiter from your 2nd House of Resources, confidence builds around what’s actually worth your time, energy, and attention.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
For the cover of the May 11 & 18, 2026, special issue, themed around America’s 250th birthday, the cartoonist Barry Blitt portrays George Washington, the country’s first President, caught in the spirit of the moment.—
Françoise Mouly,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Mayor Mamdani was elected with that spirit at the center of his agenda.—
Jonathan Timm,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, however, Demers never recorded a season above 40 points and has some limitations in terms of his creative dynamism from the back end.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The light, pastel-like shade captures Pisces' affinity with the sea and is instantly calming and rejuvenating, while the yellow undertone exudes the energy and dynamism of the ocean.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The club, with nearly 1,500 local members and a waitlist, features Technogym equipment, spotless changing rooms, 5 studios offering more than 100 weekly group classes, a rock climbing wall (including several auto-belay routes), and a juice bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
-
This beverage is made from the juice of tropical lychee, which is known for its hints of grape, pear, and watermelon, and sparkling water.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That means cutting federal regulations driving up housing costs, lowering the tax burden on working families, opposing any new gas or vehicle mileage taxes and cutting reckless spending that drives inflation.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita laid waste to drilling, transport and refining facilities around the Gulf of Mexico coast in 2005, gas prices soared in the South, Midwest and along the East Coast, which depended heavily on crude and refined gas produced in or near the gulf.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Nowadays, films with box-office appeal are audience-tested within an inch of their lives.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Knicks made life difficult for him in the halfcourt, and once that happened, Atlanta’s offense kept running into dead ends.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Esprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/esprit. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
