as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing
the little girl was lighthearted and playful
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mischief
a natural disposition for playful behavior
the playfulness of the kitten can be quite amusing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playful
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2025
The idea came from a playful exchange on social media, where Johnson invited O'Neal to choose the time and place for their showdown.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
From Carol Stream, Kyle Daily’s knives have playful handles with a contoured coke-bottle shape, whimsical file work along the spine and studs pressed in like polka-dots.
—Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Embrace authentic storytelling, playful language and unique design.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Adjective
The style here is exuberant and playful rather than stuffy or serious.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2025
The idea came from a playful exchange on social media, where Johnson invited O'Neal to choose the time and place for their showdown.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
From Carol Stream, Kyle Daily’s knives have playful handles with a contoured coke-bottle shape, whimsical file work along the spine and studs pressed in like polka-dots.
—Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Embrace authentic storytelling, playful language and unique design.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
-
Six books offer readers armchair travel, amusing characters, and a dash of history.—
Yvonne Zipp,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Thankfully, in the case of Mark, the reality proved to be something much more amusing.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As a mother of three, Kathy is positivity with a dose of mischief, and a bit of mysticism to keep things interesting.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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John Connaughton, 51, is facing charges of felony battery, criminal mischief and two counts of aggravated assault, according to court records.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Ramona is an imaginative (and mischievous) fourth grader who is always up to something.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
10 Apr. 2025
-
However, the house is haunted, and the group must confront their differences to survive the night against a host of mischievous ghosts.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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An otherwise entertaining year became quite messy in the final stages and ended on a sour note.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2025
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Comments Murder is the final course during a state dinner with foreign dignitaries on The Residence, a deliciously entertaining new murder mystery from Shondaland.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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To introduce persimmon in a balanced way, Bassford recommends incorporating the color into decorative touches like wallpaper, upholstery, or bedding for a lively yet harmonious effect.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Sister Mary Guadalupe wears rimless glasses, and her eyes are shaped like a merry jack-o’-lantern’s, flat on the bottom with semicircles on top.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pearl Breed: Pit terrier mix Age: 2 years old Pearl is a cuddly, goofy, playful pup looking for her forever home.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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Betty’s world is introduced with real decor, like a big grey bed and an amusingly goofy invention of Grampy’s, but the handmade quality falls by the wayside as most of the rest of David Rockwell’s sets are conjured via that old menace, the big flat LED screen.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This was a fantastic week in Paris — energetic and full of strong debuts.—
Rhonda Richford,
WWD,
12 Mar. 2025
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Claudine’s vibe is welcoming and the lunch crowd is energetic.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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