racy

adjective

ˈrā-sē 
Definition of racy
1
as in lively
having much high-spirited energy and movement vivid writing and a racy plot that keeps readers turning the pages

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent a raunchy comedy with language that was a little too racy for an eight-year-old child

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective racy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of racy are piquant, poignant, and pungent. While all these words mean "sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses," racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

When might piquant be a better fit than racy?

While in some cases nearly identical to racy, piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

In what contexts can poignant take the place of racy?

The synonyms poignant and racy are sometimes interchangeable, but poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

Where would pungent be a reasonable alternative to racy?

While the synonyms pungent and racy are close in meaning, pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

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 racy The entertainment could be a little racier than being serenaded by a trio singing Greek power ballads at dinnertime. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Instructed to write hillbilly music for hardscrabble whites, and racy R&B for the working-class black crowd, Q began to sell traditional country under the table using his mother’s name — even to one of the labels’ presidents, for his other artists to perform. — Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026 But during production, some nude photos that Monroe had shot years earlier came to light, so to tone down her racy image a bit, the studio head ordered up the more modest pink dress for the song. — Tracy Smith, CBS News, 31 May 2026 In 1998, host Baldwin played Pete Schweddy alongside Gasteyer and Shannon for a racy holiday edition of the recurring sketch and NPR spoof. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for racy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racy
  1. lively
  2. spicy
  3. animated
  4. suggestive
  5. energetic
  6. animate
  7. active
  8. brisk
Adjective
  • In this case, the filings contain screen grabs of text messages and other communications that seem very …lively.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This season there has been no shortage of excitement or panic after a lively opening weekend.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • Tropical, berry, citrus and spicy profiles give chains more ways to rotate seasonal and limited-time versions.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Things to do 🧑‍🍳Famous chef Roy Choi traverses Los Angeles for lobster noodles and spicy tofu.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • The critically and commercially adored animated series from creators Amber Noizumi and Michael Green will return for season 2 in January, according to a new teaser that sees the comeback of Mizu (Maya Erskine) on her travels in London.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The animated family adventure should dig up about $20 million for Paramount through the weekend.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Messages in 2024 between Johnson and Duffey revealed the two men used suggestive language.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • They are not allowed to send or receive pornography, but there are no rules against suggestive photos.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestive
Adjective
  • Both bands, originating from the Chicagoland area, delivered energetic sets to an enthusiastic crowd.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The gregarious and media-savvy Hilton has been waging an energetic and effervescent run for governor, with multiple appearances a day and frequent updates to his cheeky social media accounts.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • To imagine the natural world not as a passive resource but as an animate collaborator would be to reorder more than aesthetic categories, demanding another relation to our environment.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 29 May 2026
  • Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026
Definition of animate
Adjective
  • Every active iPhone, iPad, or Mac sold generates continuous cash flow regardless of whether the owner upgrades their physical device that year.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Meta reported in July that Instagram has 2 billion daily active users — nearly a quarter of the Earth's population.
    — John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of active
Adjective
  • Set physical activity goals and prioritize exercise, including both aerobic activities such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, along with strength training.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Fredericson recommends simple, everyday activities such as brisk neighborhood walks, gardening, cycling, bodyweight exercises and even parking farther from the entrance at the grocery store.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

rack up
racy
raddled
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Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racy. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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