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
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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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Labradors are often more energetic and bred for hunting, retrieving, and service work, whereas goldens are prized for their patience, friendliness, and trainability.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Inspired by the tradition of the divine feminine, the energetic space captivates with colors, abstract wall art and a goddess sculpture done by the dynamic sister artist duo’s mother.—
Spencer Whaley,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And as the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears face off, on September 8th, to kick off the new season, fans can expect a soundtrack that’s as fiery as her nails.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
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But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it — confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life or death.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The movie, created with partners Native Foreign and Vertigo Films, is being produced in just nine months on a budget under $30 million—far less than typical animated features—and is slated to debut at Cannes before a global 2026 release.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
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The animated series touches on the relationships between fathers and sons, prompting Yeun, as the lead actor, to reflect on his own fatherhood journey.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The cross-examination’s most spirited moment came when Bangs approached the defendant with an autopsy photo.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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The post, shared by u/wasnapping in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, has garnered 43,000 upvotes since it was posted on September 11, stirring a spirited debate about entitlement, etiquette, and the limits of neighborly requests.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On a sunny Tuesday morning, 35-year-old Rita Guerrero stepped out from her door on North Mariposa Street, lively pup Olive barely contained by her leash.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
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Zarutska worked in a lively area of the lower South End dotted with breweries, apartment complexes and coffee shops.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Prince of Wales, 43, was asked whether his youngest son has a spunky personality at his latest royal engagement.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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That spunky spirit lingered into the nineties and early two-thousands.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Royster recalled her animate Catholic teachings and love of Pope Francis’s vision for the church and the prophetic role to hold the government accountable.—
Olivia Cyrus,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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If the story is slight, the development of the characters through the songs’ lyrics and the performances of them animate and elevate the proceedings.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While traditional agencies mainly focus on commission structures, Iftiu built his organization around leadership development and recruiting salespeople who are passionate about putting clients first.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Kaif Shaikh Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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