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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Today, DeVos said that Eliana, now 3, is a happy and energetic toddler, and her scar is hardly noticeable.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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The latest victim who attempted friendship with one of these hungry giants ended up causing the most energetic explosion to ever occur in the universe.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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But, Jackson pairs them with a matching black leotard and a floor-length trench coat, letting all the attention fall on the fiery red pointed pumps.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie Charles from Little House on the Prairie has a fiery spirit aligning him with the zodiac sign.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The United Kingdom, for instance, offers a 25.5% tax rebate on 80% of a production’s expenditures in the UK, with higher rebates for animated and independent films.—
Ali Martin,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 June 2025
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For all his success in the animated realm, DeBlois has never directed a live-action film until now.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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And at this particular moment in time, there's a lot of spirited debate in the industry over how much of the process any one company should control.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
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A far cry from the spirited debates witnessed in some legislative bodies, the Parliament’s committee meetings are scripted affairs with a set order.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The primary bedroom suite mirrors the lively palette of the living room, blending mustard, green, and cobalt in deeply tactile textiles.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
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In one image, Turner was seen kissing the singer's head with his arm around her shoulders, while another showed the couple engaged in a lively chat while laying on the ground.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Several creators have reintroduced their audiences to the aesthetic, either through spunky explainers or by paying creative homage to the style.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, Mel B’s style was bold, spunky, and flirtatious.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The objects appear startlingly animate, as if bodies and ethnographic specimens are hanging on display.—
Jane Levere,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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Throughout the book, land and water are animate, so rivers speak and murmur and remember and address the reader.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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And to the passionate fans who’ve boldly joined us on this journey — THANK YOU.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
12 June 2025
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Formula 1 Key Takeaways Formula 1 Is Luxury’s Most Sophisticated Customer Acquisition Platform While other sports offer visibility, F1 provides 800 million passionate consumers who are aligned with standards that truly make a luxury product.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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