as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing
the little girl was lighthearted and playful
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playful
Even playful flourishes like hats refused to be gimmicks.
—
Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Use a red wagon to hold a bountiful arrangement of colorful pumpkins and gourds for a playful fall front porch idea.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The punchline reflected Harris’ playful sense of humor.
—Time, 17 Sep. 2025
The menu is global and playful, yet reliable, with some classic North American restaurant staples (hummus, $21, fish tacos, $23 for two, and Cajun blackened chicken, $39) and some Asian and Latin American inspired dishes (sake glazed Chilean seabass, $51, truffle udon carbonara, $27).
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Use a red wagon to hold a bountiful arrangement of colorful pumpkins and gourds for a playful fall front porch idea.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
The punchline reflected Harris’ playful sense of humor.
—Time, 17 Sep. 2025
The menu is global and playful, yet reliable, with some classic North American restaurant staples (hummus, $21, fish tacos, $23 for two, and Cajun blackened chicken, $39) and some Asian and Latin American inspired dishes (sake glazed Chilean seabass, $51, truffle udon carbonara, $27).
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
-
Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
DeMarco was also entetaining with his amusing banter in between songs while encouraging his New York fans to clap and wave their arms.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Pomegranate Margaritas Inspired by the Fourth of July cookout, these bright, fruity margaritas capture Belly’s playful and mischievous side.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The finale opens with a sneaky cello solo answered by a mischievous violin line.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When asking questions, Shaqbot uses AI logic to reply with custom responses, which can help customers browse inventory and make their online car-buying journey just more informative and a little more entertaining.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The company’s chief scientist, the Nobel-winning chemist Irving Langmuir, was tasked with entertaining Wells.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Expect a lively mix of chef demos, book signings, brunch-style tastings, and conversation with some of the region’s most influential women.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The kind of free speech and lively discourse that Kirk espoused involved spreading hateful conspiracy theories and misinformation.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the night really belonged to 15-year-old Brit Cooper and his merry band of Adolescence superstars.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
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And, of course, the more pumpkins, the merrier!—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Afterlife movies tend to be amiable in a goofy way, one that ends up tamping down the stakes.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Hope Anne is goofy, affectionate, full of zest, and has so much love to give.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Most of Earth’s radiation isn’t energetic enough to excite water molecules into a vibrational quantum states.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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The vibe is energetic without being overwhelming—a place where groups gather, conversations fill the air, and the meal becomes the centerpiece of the evening.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Overnight, customers discovered that their formerly frisky bots had turned frigid, some morphing into befuddled entities who seemed to be suffering from brain injuries.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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The film’s first trailer hinted at something frisky and fun and glossy, with a thrilling underbelly, a sexy and wild outing that will put Ibsen in an entirely new light.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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