mettlesome

adjective

ˈme-tᵊl-səm How to pronounce mettlesome (audio)
Definition of mettlesomenext
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 spirited
marked by a lively display of strong feeling a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
  1. energetic
  2. spirited
  3. animated
  4. fiery
  5. lively
  6. spunky
  7. animate
  8. brisk
Adjective
  • This lunar event shifts the energetic landscape significantly.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the Andrés group is back with an equally glamorous restaurant, one that highlights aged steaks in an energetic and theatrical setting.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Yet underneath the surface of this mostly good-spirited fun—and my apologies for being the fun police—lies a layer of homophobia and, yes, misogyny.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The setup is intended to encourage an engaged, forward-leaning posture suited to spirited riding.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirited
Adjective
  • There’s this desire, understandable on its face, to make the design and aesthetics of the live-action world recognizably similar to the animated world.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The face is customizable with various colorways, clock fonts, and photos; there’s also an animated Snoopy, whose antics change with the weather and the holidays.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Statewide Democratic contenders delivered fiery appeals, recording artist Janelle Monáe brought a bass-thumping performance and the Clark Atlanta University marching band nearly brought down the house.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Remembering Dolores Huerta The fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers, and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • Fashion brands have been experimenting with livelier and more unconventional footwear designs in general lately, and that means interesting uses of color.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • No changes to the dinos, but the lighting overall felt more lively and theatrical.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • Houk won $100 in a university contest for her unusual spunky character, which has a tough-guy body under his sun flare for a head.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Susan was a spunky fan favorite on the inaugural Golden Bachelor season.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of spunky
Adjective
  • To imagine the natural world not as a passive resource but as an animate collaborator would be to reorder more than aesthetic categories, demanding another relation to our environment.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 29 May 2026
  • Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026
Definition of animate
Adjective
  • There’s a lot packed into that paragraph, but Ribaudo is adept at keeping the narrative brisk and compelling.
    — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Over Zoom on a brisk morning back home in Korea, Jeon has just experienced a whirlwind of a month.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

mettle
mettlesome
mew
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Cite this Entry

“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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