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
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Born 12 years apart, videos shared by their mom online show an energetic and happy Izzy Offett and a reserved Wayland Coe through the years.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
-
These curious cats are energetic, curious and know their names.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Turn four, in particular, put on a display of fiery orange and red, visible to the naked eye.—
Kristin Shaw,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
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Turner, a fiery redhead and one of the heroes for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2020 title run, promptly ripped a pitch into the left-field seats, spoiling the shutout.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The firm, which was founded three years ago by Julian Jacob, will then focus on transforming other toy brands into animated and live-action series, digital shorts, casual and mobile games, and immersive formats designed for today’s digitally native generation.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
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Martinsen described Arlo as an unusually animated and communicative baby.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Enjoying Jazz In its 21st year, the spirited Cape Cod Jazz Festival offers visitors (hotel guests and the public) the chance to enjoy live music and try great food and drinks on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in July and August.—
Kim Foley MacKinnon,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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There was a spirited late rally which came to nothing.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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In February, a lively and well-attended protest march took over the streets of downtown McAllen; a news site compared it to a celebration after a high-school-football victory.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
7 July 2025
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The music was lively, and the people were friendly.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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John's dramatic introduction to thunderstorms, captured so vividly on video, is a reminder of the vulnerability of our most spunky and playful pets.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Spinning off from the 2021 movie of the same name, the show is about Pil, a spunky vagabond girl living in the medieval city of Foggyborough.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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No matter its age and despite its survival being dependent on machines, just like its mother, the fetus is entirely animate.—
Lindsey Breitwieser,
The Conversation,
1 July 2025
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That early and incisive stance on monopoly power foreshadows the themes that animate Market Crafters.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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The greatest scientists of any age have always been those most passionate about their field — most drawn to the transcendence reflected in their studies — those whose lives were as great as their work.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
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Known for being a major sports town, Philadelphia fans have built a reputation for being a passionate bunch.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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