1
as in pistols
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 powerhouses
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
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Recent Examples of live wires
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
On the other hand, the Cracker Barrel debacle touched so many live wires of American politics that the story was simply irresistible.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
On the other hand, the Cracker Barrel debacle touched so many live wires of American politics that the story was simply irresistible.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for live wires
Noun
-
The bill, introduced by Democrats in Connecticut, would effectively ban most Glock-style pistols that can be converted into a machine gun.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
Following that memo, the USPS proposed a new rule in April that would allow people to mail firearms like pistols and revolvers.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
As such, Novak name-checked a number of glam literary (and literary-adjacent) powerhouses in his opening speech.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
If the deal had gone through, two American whiskey powerhouses would have joined forces, potentially changing the national and global spirits landscape.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Live wires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/live%20wires. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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