spunkily

adverb

Definition of spunkilynext
as in firmly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spunkily
  1. firmly
  2. stoutly
  3. determinedly
  4. resolutely
  5. audaciously
  6. boldly
  7. gamely
  8. hardily
Adverb
  • Malkovich is considered by prognosticators to be firmly in the mix in what is a very competitive best actor category this awards season with Matt Damon, Tom Cruise, Robert Pattinson, Andrew Scott, Sebastian Stan and Javier Bardem among a deep field.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • However, her performance soon takes on a more grounded, childlike cadence, which roots the supposedly amnesiac Margot a little too firmly within the literal, especially for a tale whose poetry lies in its uncanniness.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • Moro scored for Argentina from a free kick after a five meter scrum after Australia had defended stoutly with 14 men, with Harry Potter in the sin bin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ejiofor is stoutly built but only 6-7 1/2 in socks, so asking him to play center at the next level will be a challenge.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Definition of stoutly
Adverb
  • Poor Frank and Kirsten look on confused, determinedly polite in their insistence that all family members should be welcome.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • The few street names in Happy Haven were determinedly upbeat, with Christian undertones.
    — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Definition of determinedly
Adverb
  • Amid the resurgence of Japanese cinema on the international festival circuit over the past few years, one resolutely indie banner, Bitters End, has been quietly growing its profile across production, distribution and international sales.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kopple’s documentary is a time capsule, offering a concentrated taste of an earlier moment in American culture, now resolutely over.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of resolutely
Adverb
  • Nike has no shortage of bold sneaker designs in its archive and yet, there is perhaps no model as audaciously branded as the Air More Uptempo.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • All the entries are highly personal, bracingly creative and audaciously inventive recreations of immortal standards familiar throughout the world.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of audaciously
Adverb
  • Extravagantly bewigged, boldly buxom, and graced with a peerless, vibrato-laden soprano voice, the exuberant Parton succeeded a hit-making early career in partnership with vocalist Porter Wagoner with a long series of solo hits.
    — Chris Morris, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Sipping on the watermelon, calamansi, ginger agua fresca was just the right pairing with my boldly piquant dinner.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of boldly
Adverb
  • This wasn’t a celebrity gamely trying to pander to Broadway fans.
    — Erik Forrest Jackson, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Sansa, a consummate professional like her superstar dad, gamely posed for the camera without any fuss.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of gamely
Adverb
  • Others, like many cactuses, often don’t bounce back as hardily as their reputations.
    — Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of hardily
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.

Browse Nearby Words

spunk
spunkily
spunkiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spunkily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spunkily. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All