spunky

adjective

ˈspəŋ-kē How to pronounce spunky (audio)
Definition of spunkynext
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

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 spunky Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer with one out in the seventh inning, as the Rays rallied for a 4-3 win and a series victory over a spunky Nationals team. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026 Field plays Tova Sullivan, a widowed, allegedly elderly woman who, because she is inhabited by the still-spunky actress, never quite seems elderly enough. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026 The news of the former couple’s split comes about Abdalla became an overnight household name as the spunky and Jennifer Lopez-loving Allie Hayes in the Prime Video series. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 2 June 2026 Joan Cusack began voicing the rootin’ tootin’, spunky, resourceful cowgirl toy Jesse in Toy Story 2, playing a major role in each film since before becoming the lead in Toy Story 5 after a break from Hollywood. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunky
  1. fiery
  2. spirited
  3. passionate
  4. peppery
  5. brisk
Adjective
  • Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
  • And the hottest of the bunch, the green, is a fiery combination of both jalapeños and green habaneros.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Roberts doffed his cap in gratitude for a spirited postgame ovation from the fans here, almost all of them Dodgers fans.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of spirited
Adjective
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Mexico’s passionate fans blasted horns outside the England hotel to disrupt players’ sleep, and the start of the match was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm.
    — Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of passionate
Adjective
  • Smoked paprika, black pepper, and hot sauce give it a peppery twist, and when tucked into a buttery croissant, the whole salad is simply irresistible.
    — Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • Rather than the peppery brightness of the original, this version leans toward a woodier, warmer tone.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
Definition of peppery
Adjective
  • Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.
    — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The glacier carts and kiosks that dish out ice cream, soft serve and sorbets did brisk business all week.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

spunkiness
spunky
spur
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunky. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spunky for Spanish Speakers

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