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
-
Green auroras, the most common type, form when energetic particles excite oxygen atoms about 60 to 150 miles (100 to 250 km) above Earth.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
Conversations with partners, friends and spouses will be lively and energetic.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
And that fiery, vibrant red that fades after mere weeks?—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
14 May 2026
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The fiery collision was one of America’s deadliest drunken driving crashes on record.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In recent years, Hollywood decided adult comedies were not good bets in movie theaters, and instead focused heavily on superheroes and animated films.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
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Toons boom across the Croisette this year, with colorful features opening Critics’ Week, closing Directors’ Fortnight, and appearing across nearly every section — further cementing Cannes’ status as a premier launchpad for animated cinema.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The younger generation, personified by Vénéranda’s spirited daughter, Tina (Kesia Kelly Nishimwe), and her boyfriend, a low-key photographer named Richard (Elvis Ngabo), has grown up without ethnic labels.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
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The winning bid of $157 million, which came after a spirited 10 minute bidding war that saw auctioneer Adrien Meyer counting up the bids in $1 million increments barely above a whisper, went to a buyer represented by Christie’s global president Alex Rotter.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hotel San Luis Obispo is located in the very walkable downtown, and the lobby bursts with energy on weekend evenings, thanks to its lively restaurant and bar.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
-
Caught up in a lively dialogue?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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Stressing the omnipresent influence of the Portuguese colonizers, chorizo cooks with red kidney beans and black-eyed peas in a spunky chile-vinegar tomato sauce in a Goan adaptation of Brazilian feijoada.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
11 May 2026
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The Boroughs follows a group of spunky people living in an upscale retirement community.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Woe unto those who fail to entertain, animate or amuse.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
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Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Krista Macco was surprised, given how passionate Argent had been about the project.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
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Even as public scrutiny of the congressman's absence reached a fever pitch on May 20, the speaker gave a passionate defense of the New Jersey lawmaker.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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