as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spunky
Forms a treasured bond with a spunky colt named Pinto Bean.
—
Alex Baia, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
Luckily, with some inventive traps and a spunky attitude, Kevin is able to defend his home.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
That change-up does work, though, as a deft musical nod to Moana’s evolution from spunky sailor wannabe and rebellious daughter to rookie boat captain and beloved big sister.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024
Though Moo Deng is known for her spunky attitude, Nundee said her siblings were just as playful.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spunky 
Alex Baia, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
Luckily, with some inventive traps and a spunky attitude, Kevin is able to defend his home.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
That change-up does work, though, as a deft musical nod to Moana’s evolution from spunky sailor wannabe and rebellious daughter to rookie boat captain and beloved big sister.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024
Though Moo Deng is known for her spunky attitude, Nundee said her siblings were just as playful.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
Adjective
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Soto came up as a young player in a Washington Nationals clubhouse seeing players with a variety of different personalities in leadership roles, like the fiery Max Scherzer, the flashy Bryce Harper, the business-like Stephen Strasburg and longtime veterans like Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
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The dangers of replicating humans and the potential for unethical abuse of the technology are stressed in a dour warning by a senior official on Earth, played with fiery authority in her final screen role by the redoubtable Haydn Gwynne, to whom the film is dedicated.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Twelve minutes before tipoff, Gottlieb finishes his spirited pregame speech by declaring the Phoenix to be the hungriest team in America, then walks into a spartan coaches’ locker room.—
Brian Hamilton,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Those hometown supporters turned out to include not only the spirited crowds flocking to Barclays Center for games, but local hip-hop legends like Fat Joe, Ja Rule and Jadakiss.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The tight retails for $118, and comes in such colors as black, desert red, passionate pink, lavender lux, magenta smoke, washed denim, true navy, espresso, Army green and solar gray.—
Lisa Lockwood,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
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An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Alexandra Owens is passionate about writing stories that highlight the power and potential of responsible ecotourism.—
Alexandra Owens,
AFAR Media,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Try a spicy passion fruit mojito with muddled jalapenos, agave, lime juice, and passion fruit puree served with a peppery Tajín rim, or The Brookline, made with bourbon, mint, basil, and a crown of charred grapefruit.—
Kara Baskin,
BostonGlobe.com,
19 Jan. 2023
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While it is often thought of as a boring blending grape to increase volume and lower the tenacity of a wine, on its own, it’s light, juicy, and a bit peppery.—
Kate Dingwall,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Bundle up, lace up your hiking shoes, and enjoy a brisk hike through Lyonia Preserve.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
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So grab your favorite blanket, curl up and enjoy the brisk beauty of the outdoors.—
Jené Luciani Sena,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near spunky
Cite this Entry
“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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