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
Relevance
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
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 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
-
Whatever the reason, pop the top and embrace this energetic, aromatic, and balanced to the very last drop.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
-
While the mood throughout the night was mostly energetic and festive, a few speakers took aim at Trump's policies.—
Axios,
Axios,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Soto came up as a young player in a Washington Nationals clubhouse seeing players with a variety of different personalities in leadership roles, like the fiery Max Scherzer, the flashy Bryce Harper, the business-like Stephen Strasburg and longtime veterans like Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The dangers of replicating humans and the potential for unethical abuse of the technology are stressed in a dour warning by a senior official on Earth, played with fiery authority in her final screen role by the redoubtable Haydn Gwynne, to whom the film is dedicated.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike many children’s TV shows, the animated CoComelon doesn’t feature celebrity cameos—but CoComelon Classroom does.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The longer answer: Yes, animated shows do have some analogous production techniques to the live-action bottle episode.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Twelve minutes before tipoff, Gottlieb finishes his spirited pregame speech by declaring the Phoenix to be the hungriest team in America, then walks into a spartan coaches’ locker room.—
Brian Hamilton,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The spirited schnauzer bested six other finalists to become the first of his breed tapped as Westminster’s best in show, the most prestigious prize in the U.S. dog show world.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If the fashion on the sidelines wasn't enough to hype up attendees, a lively dance performance to kick off the runway show did the trick.—
Anika Reed,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
That judgment works for me, but of course in their lively custom NR readers should feel free to improve my understanding of the matter in the comments section.—
Neal B. Freeman,
National Review,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the 1944 film, Garland plays Esther Smith, a spunky girl living with her family in the title city.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Min receives the same space to open up in scenes with his grandmother; and Chris, in moments opposite his spunky younger cousin (Bobo Le).—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Your business should excite your customers, frustrate your competitors and animate and motivate your people.—
Jeffrey Russell,
Forbes,
6 Nov. 2024
-
Photo : Paul Barnaby Robert Longo photographs animate the entry foyer.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The tight retails for $118, and comes in such colors as black, desert red, passionate pink, lavender lux, magenta smoke, washed denim, true navy, espresso, Army green and solar gray.—
Lisa Lockwood,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
-
An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Alexandra Owens is passionate about writing stories that highlight the power and potential of responsible ecotourism.—
Alexandra Owens,
AFAR Media,
10 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mettlesome
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share