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Definitions

verve

[vurv] / vɜrv /
NOUN
energy, enthusiasm
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gumption gusto intensity liveliness moxie passion pep sparkle spunk stamina toughness vigor vitality zeal zest
STRONG
activity ardor dash drive endurance fire force forcefulness get-up-and-go go hardihood juice pizazz pluck power punch spirit steam strength vim virility zing zip
WEAK
élan
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathy cowardice dullness inactivity indifference laziness lethargy weakness
STRONG
enervation idleness incompetence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Public Assembly’s combination of structural rigor and verve gives its work a distinct sensibility.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

By Wednesday afternoon, the president had apparently decided to try to bring some of his verve and bombast to the White House’s East Room.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

I have enjoyed the caustic verve of this Claude.ai promotional campaign, which seems to be heading off the inevitable swoon of the A.I. revolution before it firmly takes hold.

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2026

Djokovic did it with some old Djoko magic and verve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

In this, the atmosphere, no matter how coarse, has a verve and an essential joviality that casts out morbidity.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.