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
-
In the hours before the dinner, the blocks surrounding the Hilton were already jammed with cars, onlookers, and energetic protesters.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The build from the back at all costs, but with relatively no clear shape, and a huge risk / reward dynamic is not what a youthful energetic team should be doing.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One is aji verde, a fiery, electric green sauce made with Peruvian yellow peppers, and huacatay, a pungent, black mint with hints of tarragon and citrus.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The company is taking advantage of California’s recent changes to the tax incentive program expanding the eligible categories of production to include animated movies.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Wichí people inhabit an animated world.—
María Carri,
Artforum,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Viewers tune into Murstein’s content to hear Grandma Gail’s best advice, much of which involves her spirited opinions about dating and fashion.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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Stanley had a songbook full of these, some spirited, some spiritual.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This lively street—lined with elegant colonial homes and cozy cafes and restaurants—culminates at the iconic Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, known for its nightly video-mapping shows projected in Spanish and in English.—
Regina Zumarraga,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
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The suit included some versions of Indiana’s trademark work, LOVE, which depicts the word love in lively serif characters, the LO situated atop the VE, with the O placed at an angle.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The average lifespan for the spunky toy breed, Maltese is 15 years.—
Katelyn Chef,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
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Torres said that despite her diagnosis, Valentina has retained her spunky personality.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Contending visions of the attorney general’s job Bondi’s tenure illustrates the conflicting visions of what an attorney general should do that animate today’s American politics.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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The self is made of memories but can also shape them — an animate sculpture able to rework its own clay.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Savannah is so passionate about the game.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Feelings of affection will become passionate.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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