Synonyms of feisty

feisty

adjective

ˈfī-stē 

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

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• contentious
• pugnacious
• irritable
• fierce
• ugly
• belligerent
• combative
• confrontational
• acidic
• assaultive
• scrappy
• bellicose
• warlike
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• chippy
• vicious
• argumentative
• agonistic
• savage
• disputatious
• gladiatorial
• rude
• brawly
• on the warpath
• discordant
• irascible
• antagonistic
• ornery
• petulant
• fighting
• cross
• hot-tempered
• grumpy
• surly
• peevish
• waspish
• snappish
• querulous
• grouchy
• testy
• fretful
• disagreeable
• fractious
• dyspeptic
• warring
• crabby
• stroppy
• battling
• cranky
• ill-tempered
• touchy
• bilious
• choleric
• huffy
• bristly
• pettish
• ill-humored
• prickly
• ill-natured
• snappy
• bearish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonaggressive
• pacific
• friendly
• amiable
• pleasant
• good-natured
• gracious
• affable
• benevolent
• easygoing
• unwarlike
• cordial
• conciliatory
• kindhearted
• genial
• sociable
• amicable
• uncontentious
• quiet
• nonbelligerent
• calm
• complaisant
• mild
• unbelligerent
• ingratiating
• uncombative
• obliging
• gentle
• serene
• tranquil
• benign
• relaxed
• good-tempered
• antimilitarist
• anti-imperialist
• kindly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of feisty

The film features a feisty turn from Penélope Cruz as a cabaret dancer and a cameo from Glenn Close as a modern-day hispanist, accompanying Spanish stars Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, Milo Quifes and Carlos Gutiérrez in lead roles. — John Hopewell, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Garcia had been building his reputation as a feisty puncher down at super featherweight. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Even planted in a stark white room opposite Channing’s feisty-as-ever Frances, Williams’ Antonia routinely seems to disappear. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

The Southfield, Michigan native was a heralded three-star recruit for the Jayhawks and won a QB competition against Cole Ballard, but the feisty Missouri defense will be the first real test of his college career. — Pj Green september 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

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