feisty

adjective

ˈfī-stē How to pronounce feisty (audio)
Definition of feistynext
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight a feisty hockey player who has spent more than his share of time in the penalty box

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of feisty Franklin had a reputation as one of the feistiest juniors in the country, a brat with a big ego and a big mouth. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Millions of sons and daughters and their families still benefit from the feisty labor leader's achievements. — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Upton Stout was arguably the 49ers’ top defender last season as a feisty rookie in the slot. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 July 2026 Boys with their toys, thought The Times’ feisty critic Isabelle Morse Jones. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for feisty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for feisty
  1. aggressive
  2. militant
  3. hostile
  4. contentious
Adjective
  • Cramer also pointed to Abercrombie's aggressive share repurchases as another boost to earnings per share.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, being aggressive in what was a must-win series finale against the Washington Nationals, chose to go to his bullpen early.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Abductions are common in Nigeria, where militant groups target schoolchildren and other civilians to put pressure on the government and extract ransoms.
    — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The strikes came after Israel blamed the militant Hezbollah group for firing two explosive drones.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Several cities across the nation are locked in a contentious debate over Flock cameras, but in Erlanger, that decision has been made.
    — Brooklyn Andres, Fox 19 Cincinnati, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The latest version of the polling place plan follows a contentious August meeting about a proposal to reduce the number of Election Day voting locations for the November midterm from 316 in 2022 to 176 in 2026.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentious

Browse Nearby Words

feistiness
feisty
felicific
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Cite this Entry

“Feisty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/feisty. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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