Synonym Chooser

How is the word exuberant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of exuberant are lavish, lush, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

When can lavish be used instead of exuberant?

The synonyms lavish and exuberant are sometimes interchangeable, but lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

Where would lush be a reasonable alternative to exuberant?

While in some cases nearly identical to exuberant, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

In what contexts can luxuriant take the place of exuberant?

Although the words luxuriant and exuberant have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When might prodigal be a better fit than exuberant?

The meanings of prodigal and exuberant largely overlap; however, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When is it sensible to use profuse instead of exuberant?

The words profuse and exuberant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 exuberant Even the most optimistic prediction — a 5,200 target from John Stoltzfus, chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer — didn’t capture the exuberant stock rally this year. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2024 That included the latest exuberant Eastman recording, which is nominated for a Grammy, and the orchestra’s European debut at Ruhrtriennale in Germany with an Eastman program, which as heard on a radio broadcast conveyed off-the-charts exuberance. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 The legendary actress's exuberant, almost terroristically heartbreaking performance as the titular character in King Vidor's 1937 melodrama earned her the first of four Academy Award nominations over her seven-decade career. Ew Staff, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024 Nala, on the other hand, takes a more exuberant approach, enthusiastically launching a pink toy around the room. Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exuberant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exuberant
Adjective
  • In the center of it all, children and adults danced together in a circle, their movements free and joyful.
    Edward Buckles Jr., TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Despite the gravity of her music, her live performances are also joyful, and cheeky.
    Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There are a number of love stories here — Joe and Sugar figuring out if romance can conquer deception, Joe and Jerry testing their lifelong bond in the face of major personal change, and Daphne rebuffing and then reconsidering the effervescent millionaire Osgood (Edward Juvier).
    Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Even better news for those seeking the rebirth of a traditionally heroic Big Blue Boy Scout: Gunn has cited Grant Morrison’s effervescent All-Star Superman as his chief inspiration for the movie.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s lively interplay with Rick Rosato on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums.
    Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Given its flavor and sensory profiles, Barbera is an ideal selection at lunch, especially as its lively acidity cuts through the fatty qualities of all types of salumi.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The outward-facing woman was self-effacing and gracious and vivacious, a compassionate listener.
    Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Her outfits were downright aspirational: vivid reds, gorgeous greens and other vivacious tones and textures breathed life into Wise’s character.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But with consumers holding strong in the face of persistent inflation, corporate profits again expected to surge and the prospect for a more business-friendly environment in Washington, the mood on Wall Street is largely buoyant heading into the new year.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024
  • While Kamala Harris’s campaign was still ongoing, Carvey’s Biden was a comic harbinger of why the newly buoyant Dems might actually win.
    Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The difference is subtle, but the fine filter creates milk that's a bit bubblier than the ultrafine filter.
    Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
  • But concerts also start feeling poppier and bubblier in springtime, perhaps in anticipation of the even warmer, wilder and grander music events of festival-frenzied summertime.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2024
Adjective
  • The title track starts off sounding like gamelan music, then turns into a busy-grooved evocation on finding catharsis by going for a swim at a busy beach, creating her own ecstatic iteration of traditional baptismal blues imagery.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Breakthroughs in reasoning are why many AI experts waxed ecstatic over OpenAI’s release of its o3 and o3 mini models last month.
    Clint Boulton, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near exuberant

Cite this Entry

“Exuberant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exuberant. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exuberant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!