spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed ˈspir-ə-təd 
: full of energy, animation, or courage
a spirited discussion
spiritedly adverb
spiritedness noun
Did you know?
You may see spirited used to describe a conversation, a debate, a horse, or a campaign. And it often shows up in such words as high-spirited ("bold and energetic"), mean-spirited ("spiteful"), and public-spirited ("generous to a community"), all of which reflect the original meaning of spirit, a notion much like "soul" or "personality".
Synonyms
- fiery
- gingery
- high-spirited
- mettlesome
- peppery
- spunky
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The team put up a spirited defense. She's a very spirited young lady.
Recent Examples on the Web This is food that's free-spirited, yet manages to honor the classic methods. 
Cheryl Tiu, Forbes, 16 June 2022 As a tribe, Asknots are upright, kind, capable, and public-spirited. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022 Billing it the Carnival of Crisis, students from the University of Arts London’s seven campuses—including Central Saint Martins, the London College of Fashion, and Wimbledon—came together for a vibrant, high spirited parade for climate justice. Emily Farra, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2021 Frankie Wiemerslage’s legacy loomed large for surviving relatives, who grew up with stories of the high-spirited young man. William Lee, chicagotribune.com, 22 Oct. 2021 Acts of service, being kind-spirited, and encouragement were at the top of my list. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 July 2022 The hike in the price of liquor (1.4%) is less spirited, while wine tips the scale at 1.8%. Mandi Albright, ajc, 3 July 2022 Creators commemorated the affair on their iPhones, and conversations grew more spirited before the audience once again surrendered its collective gaze. Kwasi Boadi, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2022 Georgia has cruised through its schedule so far, but might get a more spirited Gators squad. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 24 Oct. 2021 See More
Cheryl Tiu, Forbes, 16 June 2022 As a tribe, Asknots are upright, kind, capable, and public-spirited. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022 Billing it the Carnival of Crisis, students from the University of Arts London’s seven campuses—including Central Saint Martins, the London College of Fashion, and Wimbledon—came together for a vibrant, high spirited parade for climate justice. Emily Farra, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2021 Frankie Wiemerslage’s legacy loomed large for surviving relatives, who grew up with stories of the high-spirited young man. William Lee, chicagotribune.com, 22 Oct. 2021 Acts of service, being kind-spirited, and encouragement were at the top of my list. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 10 July 2022 The hike in the price of liquor (1.4%) is less spirited, while wine tips the scale at 1.8%. Mandi Albright, ajc, 3 July 2022 Creators commemorated the affair on their iPhones, and conversations grew more spirited before the audience once again surrendered its collective gaze. Kwasi Boadi, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2022 Georgia has cruised through its schedule so far, but might get a more spirited Gators squad. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 24 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing spirited
Kids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed ˈspir-ə-təd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited horse
a spirited debate
spirited 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling the town meeting featured a spirited debate about the proposed ban on skateboarding in the plaza downtown Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fiery
- passionate
- spunky
- brisk
- high-spirited
- fervent
- mettlesome
- peppery
- aggressive
- feisty
- ambitious
- animated
- militant
- impassioned
- energetic
- vivacious
- gingery
- assertive
- sprightly
- ardent
- sparky
- perky
- frisky
- peppy
- jaunty
- scrappy
- kinetic
- bouncing
- bouncy
- pushy
- jazzy
- animate
- racy
- zippy
- in-your-face
- emphatic
- spanking
- springy
- pert
- high-pressure
- obtrusive
- snappy
- vital
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- halfhearted
- spiritless
- dull
- languid
- leaden
- listless
- boring
- bloodless
- lackadaisical
- lifeless
- sluggish
- sleepy
- lethargic
- dead
- tired
- limp
- languorous
- inert
- inanimate
- unaggressive
- torpid
- unassertive
- unambitious
- nonassertive
- low-pressure
- unenterprising
2
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement a team known for its spirited and in-your-face basketball Synonyms & Similar Words
- lively
- energetic
- animated
- active
- brisk
- animate
- enthusiastic
- bouncing
- playful
- cheerful
- vivacious
- awake
- sprightly
- frisky
- sparky
- peppy
- perky
- jaunty
- kinetic
- jazzy
- mettlesome
- zippy
- racy
- spanking
- gay
- pert
- springy
- vital
- snappy
- agile
- airy
- up
- bright
- eager
- pizazzy
- dashing
- pizzazzy
- dapper
- effervescent
- boisterous
- nimble
- upbeat
- spiffy
- spry
- buoyant
- exuberant
- chirpy
- on the go
- impish
- alert
- frolicsome
- ebullient
- bubbly
- nervous
- chipper
- sparkly
- keen
- high-spirited
- open-eyed
- agog
- wide-awake
- pixieish
- high-strung
- chirrupy
- skittish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- languid
- listless
- lackadaisical
- spiritless
- vapid
- indolent
- inactive
- lifeless
- dead
- leaden
- lazy
- limp
- weary
- inanimate
- sluggish
- sleepy
- unambitious
- lethargic
- tired
- languorous
- stolid
- languishing
- phlegmatic
- inert
- torpid
- apathetic
- dull
- impassive
- boring
- tedious
- irksome
spirited
2 of 2verb
as in captured
Synonyms & Similar Words
- captured
- impressed
- snatched
- waylaid
- seized
- crimped
- hijacked
- shanghaied
- kidnapped
- abducted
- highjacked
- absconded (with)
- kidnaped
- stole
- copped
- took
- caught
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delivered
- rescued
- returned
- redeemed
- restored
- ransomed