1
as in pistol
a very energetic person
the babysitter will have her hands full with those two little live wires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in powerhouse
an ambitious person who eagerly goes after what is desired
that new reporter on the police beat is a real live wire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 live wire
One of the brothers used a carbon-fibre pole while attempting to get the bird down and touched the live wires on the power line, killing him instantly.
—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
The Olympia is now absorbing this collective energy like a live wire.
—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
In the band’s heyday, Anthony Kiedis, with his bare torso and long girlish copper-blond hair, looked like a ’70s teen idol who’d become a Warhol hustler – a street-flesh god like Joe Dallesandro, except that where Dallesandro was in a daze, Kiedis was a live wire.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
And upon her return, Dana is a live wire.
—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
The Olympia is now absorbing this collective energy like a live wire.
—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
In the band’s heyday, Anthony Kiedis, with his bare torso and long girlish copper-blond hair, looked like a ’70s teen idol who’d become a Warhol hustler – a street-flesh god like Joe Dallesandro, except that where Dallesandro was in a daze, Kiedis was a live wire.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
And upon her return, Dana is a live wire.
—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for live wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wire
Noun
-
The man initially refused but signed after Pooh Shiesty allegedly pointed an AK-style pistol his head.
-
Prosecutors allege the pistol was used in a 2021 Chicago murder and later in the shooting of a rival gang member.
Noun
-
Cape Verde began this run by making a statement, producing a shocking 0-0 draw against soccer powerhouse Spain on June 15 in its first-ever World Cup match.
-
Among those courtside include members of the NBA champ New York Knicks; Kelce’s Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, other teammates and coaches; ex-Disney boss Bob Iger and spouse Willow Bay; and current Disney powerhouse Dana Walden.
Noun
-
Against Scotland, the left-footed dynamo will be desperate for his first chance to leave an imprint on this World Cup.
-
The new study instead suggests the dynamo may come from continuous core growth itself.
Cite this Entry
“Live wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
