1
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement
vivid writing and a racy plot that keeps readers turning the pages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
a raunchy comedy with language that was a little too racy for an eight-year-old child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of racy
The two have been spending time together since at least July, when Minniear shared a racy photo of Goulding on Instagram.
—
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch ‘s media empire, the California Post will draw from and build on the venerable New York paper’s national coverage, which is known for its relentless and skewering approach to reporting and its facility with sensational or racy subject matter.
—Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Which helps explain why, around this time of year, certain social media feeds are inundated with racy FYI posts by adult stars courting votes.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
Yet for all the racy effusion, the point wasn’t so much self-exposure as self-expression.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for racy
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch ‘s media empire, the California Post will draw from and build on the venerable New York paper’s national coverage, which is known for its relentless and skewering approach to reporting and its facility with sensational or racy subject matter.
—Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Which helps explain why, around this time of year, certain social media feeds are inundated with racy FYI posts by adult stars courting votes.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
Yet for all the racy effusion, the point wasn’t so much self-exposure as self-expression.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for racy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy
Adjective
-
Where there would once be huge lively crowds gathering in support of Hong Kong’s democracy figures, the mood was subdued and yet at the same time on edge.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And lively neighborhoods like Myeongdong and Hongdae are hot spots for shopping, local street food, K-pop culture, and nightlife.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Squirrels cannot stand this spicy smell and will steer clear of your garden or home.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Pair it with their signature warm nuts drenched in Tap Roots’ homemade spicy maple syrup, which is destined to put the hot honey craze to shame once word gets out.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
During the trial, many of Cardi's impassioned exchanges with the Janfaza went viral due to her unfiltered, expletive-laced responses and animated expressions, including eye rolls and shrugs.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Tang joined Adult Swim in 2012 and contributed to the development of numerous live‑action and animated originals including Joe Pera Talks with You, Royal Crackers, The Eric Andre Show, and the WGA Award-winning Three Busy Debras.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Patients accused Heaps of groping them, performing unnecessarily invasive examinations and making suggestive comments.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The report noted some mottling and nodules in the liver and a spleen with one hypoechoic mass and multiple similar nodules suggestive of hemangiosarcoma.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At halftime, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered an energetic performance featuring his biggest hits, powerful imagery and theatrical nods to songs and symbols from throughout his Spanish-language catalog.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The goal of the PUEO mission was to detect radio signals created when highly energetic neutrinos rain down onto the ice.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The same traits—sloppy reasoning but a desire for collective punishment—animate other immigration-policy announcements.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Those same questions animate America’s healthcare system, where nurses, disproportionately women and people of color, shoulder the emotional and physical burden of institutions under stress.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Gerrit Cole’s 153 wins are the most by any active pitcher 35 or younger.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Corvus Robotics says the system can operate during active warehouse shifts without disrupting workflows.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Lemon entered his plea during a brisk court appearance on Friday, multiple outlets reported, after he was arrested last month in Los Angeles.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Although a good portion of this album still sounds like Kurt Vile going through a Sly Stone phase, the kumbaya squishiness of the past few records has hardened into a brisk antagonism.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
