1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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The energy rises as the wrestler and the rapper take energetic strides and bounce to the ring.—
Shaheem Reid,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
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The rest of the evening was largely an energetic affair that oscillated between sincere appreciation and light humor, the latter of which began for co-host and winner Gold early in the event.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Read Next World ‘Stocky’ creature with ‘fiery orange’ eyes found mating.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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The sun is currently experiencing solar maximum, or the peak in its 11-year cycle, and as the sun becomes more active, researchers have observed increasingly intense solar flares and coronal mass ejections erupting from the fiery orb.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Looney Tunes film, featuring Forte and John Cena opposite an animated Wile E. Coyote, became the most talked about movie in Hollywood in late 2023 when The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. intended to scrap the movie as part of a $115 million writedown.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
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Fox’s rollout includes return dates for animated series like Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy, as well as premieres for reality programs including MasterChef (returning for a 15th season dubbed Dynamic Duos) and unscripted newbie The Snake, hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies.—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Jimmy Butler led the team in scoring with 38, and Steph Curry made two back-breaking late 3-pointers to help the Warriors survive a spirited last-second Memphis push.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
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The visitors put in a spirited first half, marking Wood — the Nottingham Forest striker who is New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer by a considerable margin — with two or three defenders and dependably clearing crosses into the box.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His crossword is not themed, but the entry is lively nonetheless.—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Located right on the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s liveliest piazza built atop the ancient Roman Capitolium, this museum gives new life to a majestic 17th-century palazzo.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The other central characters fare better, especially Gotay’s moving Homer and Miller’s spunky scribe, but also McAlpine and Mark Kudisch as Floyd’s dad.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Hummingbirds are a fan favorite of avid bird watchers due to their spunky personalities and impressive flying tricks (flying upside-down and backward!).—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Users do have creative freedom — freedom to learn to draw, animate, write, score, or direct their own projects.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
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Charcuterie and cheese, potatoes and onions, meat and offal: These are the ingredients that animate Harris’s chalkboard menu, all old friends, treated with a grandmotherly mix of tenderness and brawn.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Leaders who are passionate about their work inspire their teams to share that enthusiasm.—
Edward DeAngelis,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Barman is passionate about removing friction in the DIY process.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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