spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ə-təd 
: full of energy, animation, or courage
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
spiritedness
noun
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You may see spirited used to describe a conversation, a debate, a horse, or a campaign. And it often shows up in such words as high-spirited ("bold and energetic"), mean-spirited ("spiteful"), and public-spirited ("generous to a community"), all of which reflect the original meaning of spirit, a notion much like "soul" or "personality".
Examples of spirited in a Sentence
The team put up a spirited defense.
She's a very spirited young lady.
Recent Examples on the Web
Friday afternoon’s follow-up saw the hosts win by a final score of 3-2, but the Braves mounted a spirited late comeback that fell just short.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Initially, the trip unfolded as expected: panoramic hikes, spirited volunteer work and nightly bonding.
—Ani Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Learning about the world around us provides the connective tissue for spirited interactions and growing deeper bonds with each other.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025
Sixth-year Coach Sam Pittman and veteran players Fernando Carmona and Larry Worth III all said the early wake-up call for the 6:20 a.m. practice, which was held with temperatures starting in the high 60s under overcast skies, led to a spirited workout in light shoulder pads and shorts.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Initially, the trip unfolded as expected: panoramic hikes, spirited volunteer work and nightly bonding.
—Ani Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Learning about the world around us provides the connective tissue for spirited interactions and growing deeper bonds with each other.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025
Sixth-year Coach Sam Pittman and veteran players Fernando Carmona and Larry Worth III all said the early wake-up call for the 6:20 a.m. practice, which was held with temperatures starting in the high 60s under overcast skies, led to a spirited workout in light shoulder pads and shorts.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirited. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ət-əd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
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