brisk

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrisk How to pronounce brisk (audio)
Synonyms of brisk
1
: keenly alert : lively
… a brisk old lady with no nonsense about her …—Jean Stafford
2
a
: pleasingly tangy
brisk tea
b
: fresh, invigorating entry 1
a brisk autumn day
3
: sharp in tone or manner
was very brisk on the phone
4
a
: energetic, quick
took a brisk walk
at a brisk pace
b
: marked by much activity
business was brisk
briskly adverb
briskness noun

brisk

2 of 2

verb

brisked; brisking; brisks

transitive verb

: to make animated, energetic, or marked by much activity : to make brisk

intransitive verb

: to become brisk
—usually used with up
business brisked up

Synonyms of brisk

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Adjective

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Examples of brisk in a Sentence

Adjective She answered the phone in a brisk voice. They went for a brisk walk in the woods. She walked at a brisk pace. Business is brisk at the store. There is a brisk market in old movie posters.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
While most of us are capable of lifting weights or heading outside for a brisk walk each day, not everyone is so fortunate, leading researchers to consider other ways to encourage muscles to produce plenty of hormones. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Warsh said business investment, led by AI spending and consumer demand, remains brisk. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 For the cardio portion, Cleveland Clinic recommends brisk walking, biking, dancing, swimming, rowing, stair climbing or elliptical training. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Business was brisk because, in those days, owning a car was a luxury. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brisk

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably modification of Middle French brusque

Verb

verbal derivative of brisk entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of brisk was in 1560

Rhymes for brisk

See All Rhymes for brisk

Browse Nearby Words

brisé volé
brisk
brisken
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brisk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brisk. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

brisk

adjective
ˈbrisk
1
: very active or alert : lively
2
: very refreshing
brisk autumn weather
3
: energetic, quick
a brisk pace
briskly adverb
briskness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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