spirited

[ spir-i-tid ]

adjective

1. having or showing mettle, courage, vigor, liveliness, etc.:

   a spirited defense of poetry.

   Synonyms: mettlesome, courageous, vigorous, lively, energetic, active, ardent, vivacious, animated

spirited

/ ˈspɪrɪtɪd /

adjective

1. displaying animation, vigour, or liveliness
2. in combination characterized by mood, temper, or disposition as specified

   public-spirited

   high-spirited

Derived Forms

• ˈspiritedness, noun
• ˈspiritedly, adverb

Other Words From

• spirit·ed·ly adverb
• spirit·ed·ness noun
• non·spirit·ed adjective
• non·spirit·ed·ly adverb
• non·spirit·ed·ness noun
• quasi-spirit·ed adjective
• quasi-spirit·ed·ly adverb
• un·spirit·ed adjective
• un·spirit·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirited¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; spirit + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Literal congratulations have been doled out for tough losses in a near-impossible electoral environment, for a spirited effort amid utter defeat.

From Slate

Bregy said staff consistently monitored the “spirited demonstrations” this week and “acted swiftly to de-escalate when expressions crossed into disruption.”

From Los Angeles Times

Beverly Hills High School has limited students’ ability to congregate in the wake of “spirited demonstrations” by pro-Trump pupils following Tuesday’s elections.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe it seemed, once, that a spirited internal resistance could effectively limit Musk’s damage and preserve some of the prior spirit of the microblogging platform that writers, public agencies, and other creative types had come to depend upon.

From Slate

Still, I wheeled around and watched a column of spirited Australians being successively and violently deposited into mud and water.

From Slate

Related Words

• animated
• bold
• bright
• courageous
• energetic
• enthusiastic
• fearless
• fiery
• gutsy
• passionate
• peppy
• resolute
• spunky
• vigorous