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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vivacious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of vivacious are animated, gay, lively, and sprightly. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

When is animated a more appropriate choice than vivacious?

Although the words animated and vivacious have much in common, animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

Where would gay be a reasonable alternative to vivacious?

The words gay and vivacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use lively instead of vivacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to vivacious, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When could sprightly be used to replace vivacious?

The synonyms sprightly and vivacious are sometimes interchangeable, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

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 vivacious With the sun entering Scorpio and your vivacious fifth house of love, creativity and self-expression, the cosmos encourages you to explore your passions and heart’s desires. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 Perhaps Olsen’s vivacious personality shielded her from outside pressure at Villanova. Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 19 July 2024 That same day, Mars will enter vivacious Leo, energizing your seventh house of relationships and partnerships. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 During this time, the vivacious actress go-go danced on such hit music series as Shindig! and Hullabaloo and played a stumbling Statue of Liberty on roller skates in a 1970 summer show at Disneyland. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vivacious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • This adaptation is especially significant given the energetic limitations of the deep sea; by luring prey rather than actively hunting, the anglerfish minimizes energy expenditure—a critical advantage in a resource-scarce ecosystem.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Bleachers, the energetic pop band led by Taylor Swift producer Jack Antonoff, played Connecticut a few months ago at the Soundside Festival in Bridgeport, joining that festival when Queens of the Stone Age had to drop off the bill.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Connecting with our heritage can bring us joy, but connecting with someone else’s heritage can be just as joyful, a gift to compliment our own precious traditions and brightening our commitment to them.
    Juliet Grames, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Other images showed prisoners making a joyful exit from the city’s central prison after the rebels’ takeover.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • With a friendly and gentle temperament, the vizsla is well suited to lively households and enjoys participating in various dog sports and outdoor activities.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton set up a lively 11-minute conversation between its fashion director and actress Emma Stone — nabbing a 20% higher watch time than the industry average.
    Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This production of one of the most difficult works in the Sondheim canon made an abstract musical about the opening up of Japan to Western trade in the 19th century vivid, exuberant and provocatively resonant.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Plus: Jonathan Blitzer on the coming immigration crackdown Richard Brody’s best movies of 2024 Essential works of Native American history Photograph by Kirk West / Getty Amanda Petrusich Staff writer The winter holidays can be joyous, exuberant, warming.
    Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this stage musical is bedecked for the holidays.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Moana 2 splashed into theaters on Nov. 27, and viewers are already eager to know when the animated prequel will be available on Disney+.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • It was summed up neatly once again by the effervescent Jean-Philippe Mateta.
    Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Though their personalities clash in Wicked — Glinda’s effervescent charm contrasting with Elphaba’s fiery independence — their bond ultimately transforms them both.
    Anita Kopacz, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • A day after getting signed to the active roster from the practice squad, Jefferson finished with eight tackles in his first regular-season start since Dec. 14, 2022.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
  • That left guitarist Angus Young as the last active member of AC/DC’s Back in Black lineup.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • Nothing sounds better than having a fresh pizza straight out of the oven, with its bubbly cheese and thin, charred crust.
    Scott Gilbertson Gear Team, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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