spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ə-təd 
: full of energy, animation, or courage
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
spiritedness
noun
Did you know?
You may see spirited used to describe a conversation, a debate, a horse, or a campaign. And it often shows up in such words as high-spirited ("bold and energetic"), mean-spirited ("spiteful"), and public-spirited ("generous to a community"), all of which reflect the original meaning of spirit, a notion much like "soul" or "personality".
Synonyms
Examples of spirited in a Sentence
The team put up a spirited defense.
She's a very spirited young lady.
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent years mocktails have evolved beyond simply combining juice, soda, and grenadine thanks to bartenders and producers embracing botanicals, teas, and craft syrups to create complex beverages that put these drinks on par with their spirited counterparts.
—
Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
His early music was fueled by his difficult relationship with a factory worker father whose depression and fearfulness was exacerbated by being unable to figure out what his free spirited long-haired son with the guitar was headed for a dead end.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Even so, the designer insisted on a few spirited features to keep the area from feeling like a white box, including a light celadon tile backsplash, teal range, and cerused oak island.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
Channelling la dolce vita, the sumptuous interiors feature crimson silk walls, intimate blue booths, Murano lighting and bespoke ceramic plates designed by Michaela Gall that pay homage to Soho’s spirited past.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spirited 
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.
Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
His early music was fueled by his difficult relationship with a factory worker father whose depression and fearfulness was exacerbated by being unable to figure out what his free spirited long-haired son with the guitar was headed for a dead end.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Even so, the designer insisted on a few spirited features to keep the area from feeling like a white box, including a light celadon tile backsplash, teal range, and cerused oak island.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
Channelling la dolce vita, the sumptuous interiors feature crimson silk walls, intimate blue booths, Murano lighting and bespoke ceramic plates designed by Michaela Gall that pay homage to Soho’s spirited past.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spirited
Dictionary Entries Near spirited
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirited. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ət-əd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share