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

Relevance

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
Los Javis, working with editor Alberto Gutiérrez, keep things moving, and the film’s two-and-a-half-hour running time moves at a surprisingly brisk pace. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Eidra continues to manage her and Stuart’s relationship with brisk efficiency and by maximizing the opportunities provided by little interstitial moments. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Tucker pointed to studies that found that as little as 30 minutes of brisk walking every day can increase a signaling protein in the brain that contributes to neuroplasticity (forming and reorganizing synapses). — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus muscle-strengthening exercises on two days. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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
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