1
as in playful
given to good-natured joking or teasing
a frolicsome uncle who was a favorite among his relatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
teachers smiling at the frolicsome students leaving school for summer vacation
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Recent Examples of frolicsome
On April 4, Ogden will take part in the frolicsome, 100 percent amateur Nordic X race at the tiny Cochran’s Ski Area in Vermont.
—
Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Known for her glamorous pursuits and doomed affairs, Princess Margaret has gone down in history as the frolicsome foil to her ever poised and solemn sister, Queen Elizabeth II.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Ah, but in the decades that Kernan spent meticulously researching this biography, a filmed version of the play was turned up, so admirers of Schuyler can now behold the young, frolicsome incarnations of him, O’Hara, and Freilicher, among others, in footage shot during two weeks in the Hamptons.
—Dan Chiasson, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Even Bauman’s funniest musical bits get swallowed in the show’s frothy, frolicsome relentlessness.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
On their first tour together in six years, Springsteen, 73, was physical and frolicsome, his taut face routinely enveloped in a smile, while his dynamic 18-member band helped take his songs, some of them nearly 50 years old, to new heights.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
But back in the aughts, before Ganni's frolicsome offering of poplin collared dresses and knee-high chelsea boots became an unofficial uniform for western women in their mid-twenties and beyond, the company dealt exclusively in cashmere.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Known for her glamorous pursuits and doomed affairs, Princess Margaret has gone down in history as the frolicsome foil to her ever poised and solemn sister, Queen Elizabeth II.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Ah, but in the decades that Kernan spent meticulously researching this biography, a filmed version of the play was turned up, so admirers of Schuyler can now behold the young, frolicsome incarnations of him, O’Hara, and Freilicher, among others, in footage shot during two weeks in the Hamptons.
—Dan Chiasson, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Even Bauman’s funniest musical bits get swallowed in the show’s frothy, frolicsome relentlessness.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Both concentrated on paintings of frolicsome, amorous bunnies.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023
On their first tour together in six years, Springsteen, 73, was physical and frolicsome, his taut face routinely enveloped in a smile, while his dynamic 18-member band helped take his songs, some of them nearly 50 years old, to new heights.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2023
But back in the aughts, before Ganni's frolicsome offering of poplin collared dresses and knee-high chelsea boots became an unofficial uniform for western women in their mid-twenties and beyond, the company dealt exclusively in cashmere.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frolicsome
Adjective
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Its rooms are layered with classical references, playful objets and a rich colour palette.—
Vicki Power,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
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The family is now left with memories of Barbara's smile and her famous tamales, and Aron's playful antics and artwork.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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However, Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York - the second most senior bishop in the Church of England - told NPR that the occasion marking Mullally's installation as the archbishop of Canterbury was a joyful one.—
Robbie Griffiths,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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Lightweight floral print dresses can be worn under (or over) a collared shirt in a contrasting hue for some joyful juxtaposition.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Although Brixx operates a mix of corporate and franchised locations, its takeover of that space would make the lakefront livelier by putting patrons on the patio at night.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The latter maintains an exuberant push-and-pull between Rushen’s electric piano, bounding with lightness and dexterity, and her classmate Bobby Bryant’s blaring tenor saxophone.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
22 Mar. 2026
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Writer-director BenDavid Grabinski makes a strong case to change that in an exuberant time travel genre-bender where what’s old often leads to fresh ideas.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But today, beachgoers continue to stroll, sunbathe and frolic buck naked on that stretch of sand, in defiance of the law.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Alongside her, child actors dance and frolic with shadow puppetry in the land of make-believe, where youths go on adventures and learn math, science and reading skills.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With his son out of work, Gregor’s father, previously inert, gets a job and becomes strangely vivacious.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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My mother, Trish said, was tiny, dark-eyed, and vivacious, always flying out the door on her way to somewhere—her literary club, gardening, volunteering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Bone offers a quiet and mineral calm while Fermented Fizz lifts the palette with an effervescent, tangy green.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2026
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Angela Rodriguez, the effervescent operations manager of the boat, talked about how all the crew members were handpicked for not just their familiarity of ribereño traditions and culture but for leading with their hearts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The buoyant young Olympic skating gold medalist, the true Queen of Oakland, is awarded the key to the city by Mayor Barbara Lee at a rally with 4,000 cheering fans outside City Hall.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The first feature in 12 years from co-directors Lord and Miller — whose collaborations include The Lego Movie, the Spider-Verse films, 21 Jump Street and its sequel — the new film shows their facility for buoyant humor and heartfelt emotion very much intact.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frolicsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frolicsome. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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