1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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The Harbour The Harbour will be an outdoor theme park with both wet and dry experiences inspired by Asia's most energetic cities.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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The awkward catching-up process turns into energetic conversations about race, relationships, class, status and rehabilitation, then shifts to deep familial spiritual bonding.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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By contrast, Perry’s relationship with her fiery mother was defining.—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Lion Forge Entertainment develops and produces animated and live-action content targeting kids and family, YA and adult audiences.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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The company is taking advantage of California’s recent changes to the tax incentive program expanding the eligible categories of production to include animated movies.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Viewers tune into Murstein’s content to hear Grandma Gail’s best advice, much of which involves her spirited opinions about dating and fashion.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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Stanley had a songbook full of these, some spirited, some spiritual.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Tollgate, a pub frequented by hundreds of United supporters on matchdays, is lively even two and a half hours before kick-off.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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That was until this Dutch upstart with his European aesthetic, lively and colorful stores and eye-popping marketing campaigns began to chisel away at their market share.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The average lifespan for the spunky toy breed, Maltese is 15 years.—
Katelyn Chef,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
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Torres said that despite her diagnosis, Valentina has retained her spunky personality.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
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The house is dizzyingly animate, like a video game where every object is a glowing grail.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The situation involving Stamps is noteworthy in part because her mother, Marion Nzinga Stamps, was a passionate community activist at the Cabrini-Green public housing complex who was known to confront officials to press her case.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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The somms here are passionate and eager to help find the right wine for you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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