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
  • The aggressive action will be closely watched by other states and school systems.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tour participants described an aggressive interrogation by an Israeli border agent.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Pakistan has often accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, allegations both countries deny.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Israel invaded southern Lebanon in March after Hezbollah, a Shia Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, resumed strikes on Israel to avenge the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Kuwait's army said its air defence systems were targeting hostile missile and drone attacks.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some recent laws, including the Safer Skies Act of 2025, grant state and local agencies (though not private-sector entities) greater license to detect and track hostile drones.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Wendi and Markel settled their contentious divorce in 2013 without a trial.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The first budget meeting typically serves as a curtain-raiser for a two-week sprint to eliminate as many contentious budget provisions as possible — often with one-time revenue sources that kick the fiscal can to another year.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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