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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

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 vivacious Born with the sun and Venus in this vivacious Fire sign, her music is inspiring and captivating, more than often challenging listeners and fellow musicians of the same genre. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 Bianca Del Rio: The vivacious drag queen reigned as the celebrity monarch of Orpheus. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025 The makeup artist was tasked with creating a beauty look for a collection that radiates color, with vivacious shapes and prints. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025 The delicate gold chains holding Johnson’s Gucci dress together recalled another sensual and daring red carpet look: the safety pin dress, which through the years, has been worn by Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart, and of course the vivacious original, Elizabeth Hurley in Versace. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vivacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivacious
Adjective
  • He's been a warrior, always bouncing back to his energetic self.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Claudine’s vibe is welcoming and the lunch crowd is energetic.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But his joyful, freewheeling creativity is thwarted by the head Piglin, Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House), who seeks the two objects in order to control the Overworld; to protect it, Steve enlists Dennis, a wolf he’s encountered and tamed, to carry them back home and hide them under his bed.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The key is turning function into emotion, crafting joyful products and blending technology, creativity and insights to create standout first impressions and unique product experiences that stick.
    Nicki Sprinz, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
  • Hoping to quiet the controversy and attract more mainstream Protestant audiences, McPherson tried distancing herself from the practices of the Holy Rollers, not only refusing to speak in tongues but also admonishing overly exuberant attendees at her services.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • There are a number of videos showing exuberant fan reactions to A Minecraft Movie in theaters–and not the organic kinds of reactions, the exaggerated kinds, and maybe even staged?
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Katt also lent his voice to the animated The Get Along Gang in the mid-1980s, and in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • In the brief animated video graphic shared to Perry’s Instagram, the expedition’s logo comes into frame, against a starry sky.
    Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The finish is long, smooth, and dry, with effervescent spicy notes.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • An effervescent evening dedicated to the world’s finest sparkling wines—crafted beyond the borders of Champagne yet rivaling its elegance, complexity, and prestige.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett was the most active quarterback on the day, throwing for 77 yards and a touchdown on a 6-for-10 throwing performance.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The 1880s were the most active decade for U.S. hurricane landfalls on record.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The difference is subtle, but the fine filter creates milk that's a bit bubblier than the ultrafine filter.
    Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Vivacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivacious. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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