Feisty: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'feisty' to describe someone who is lively, determined, and energetic, often in a spirited or challenging way.

• She's a feisty little girl who won't back down from a challenge.
• That feisty kitten always gets into mischief.

Use 'spirited' to describe someone who is full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination.

• The spirited debate lasted for hours.
• His spirited performance brought the audience to its feet.

Use 'spunky' to describe someone who is courageous, lively, and full of spirit. It often suggests a small or young person showing surprising courage or determination.

• The spunky little dog never hesitated to defend its owner.
• Her spunky attitude makes her a joy to be around.

Use 'plucky' to describe someone who is brave and determined, often in the face of difficulties.

• Despite the odds, the plucky young journalist uncovered the truth.
• She's a plucky adventurer, always up for a new challenge.

Use 'bold' to describe someone who is confident and willing to take risks or face danger.

• He made a bold decision to quit his job and travel the world.
• Her bold fashion choices really make her stand out.

Use 'fierce' to describe someone who has strong intensity, passion, or aggressiveness. This can sometimes have a negative connotation if it describes aggression.

• She was a fierce competitor on the soccer field.
• His fierce temper often gets him into trouble.

Describes someone who is lively, determined, and courageous, often in a spirited or challenging manner. It can have a positive connotation when referring to someone with a strong and energetic personality.

• Despite her small stature, she is quite feisty and stands up for herself.
• The feisty kitten played with the ball of yarn with great enthusiasm.

Used to describe someone who frequently argues or enjoys engaging in debates. This term often implies a tendency towards confrontation and can have a negative connotation.

• He is so argumentative that it's hard to have a peaceful conversation with him.
• Her argumentative nature made her a formidable opponent in the debate team.

Refers to someone who is eager to fight or argue. It emphasizes a readiness for conflict and can be used to describe both physical and verbal confrontations.

• His combative attitude often leads to unnecessary conflicts at work.
• The combative boxer prepared for his match with intense training.

Describes something or someone that tends to cause or provoke arguments and disputes. Often used in a legal or formal context, this term carries a negative connotation.

• The contentious issue of climate change legislation was hotly debated in the parliament.
• Their contentious relationship was marked by frequent disagreements and disputes.

Describes a person who is inclined to oppose or contradict others. It can be used to highlight someone's tendency to be uncooperative or difficult. This term often carries a negative connotation.

• She is so contrary that she always takes the opposite stance just to be difficult.
• His contrary opinions often put him at odds with his colleagues.

Refers to someone who is prone to arguing and fighting. This word has a distinctly negative connotation, indicating a tendency towards frequent and unnecessary conflicts.

• Their quarrelsome nature makes them hard to get along with.
• He became more quarrelsome after he started working overtime every day.