as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing
the little girl was lighthearted and playful
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of playful
Puppy Bowl, now in its 22nd year, is the longest-running call-to-adoption television event, known for filling a tiny football field with playful, adoptable dogs.
—
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Examples include rich, grounding earth tones, silhouettes with real architectural weight, and the playful return of traditional upholstery details.
—Sophie Aliece Hollis, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Soft and Fresh Colors Hosts are embracing a wide-ranging palette that moves effortlessly between soft and moody, playful and grounded.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Choose a playful starting point like stretching while music plays — something easy to do every day.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
Adjective
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His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
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His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
Adjective
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Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
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Dave, feeling mischievous, ushered them towards a window seat and what, on the face of it, seemed a prime spot.—
Adjective
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The battle for the fifth starter position in spring may be the most entertaining in camp — with Lowder, Burns, Petty and Williamson attempting to crack the rotation.—
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The kitchen also has direct access to a large rear deck, which enhances the outdoor living and entertaining options during pleasant weather.—
Adjective
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Chabada For a livelier scene, head to the main drag along Platja de l’Arenal to find Chabada.—
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The style throughout, irrespective of category, is lively without being hectic, a pleasing postmodern blend of contemporary, midcentury, and roughly Victorian elements.—
Adjective
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Besides its prominent cloud belts, Jupiter's greatest telescopic treasure are its four Galilean moons that run a merry race with each other around the planet, changing their respective positions from hour to hour and night to night.—
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The residents were excited to see both, but the real dog hopped down and went on its merry way, while Jennie stuck around to be snuggled.—
Adjective
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Norman spoke with Mixed Asian Media about her role in the show and how playing a hard-working ballet dancer compared to her real-life goofier and more extroverted personality.—
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Ross was fairly goofy in his courtships of coaches Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton and quarterback Tom Brady.—
Adjective
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The annual allergy affliction happens when the male mountain ashe juniper trees get frisky looking for the female mountain ashe junipers and unleash all of their itchy, yellow pollen.—
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In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.—
Adjective
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Whether that’s stand in the pocket, whether that’s run, whether that’s scramble, whether that’s hand the ball off 30 times and be energetic about it.—
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The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Cite this Entry
“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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