brisk

[brisk]

See more synonyms for brisk on Thesaurus.com

adjective, brisk·er, brisk·est.

quick and active; lively: brisk trading; a brisk walk.
sharp and stimulating: brisk weather; brisk wind.
(of liquors) effervescing vigorously: brisk cider.

abrupt; curt: I was surprised by her rather brisk tone.

verb (used with or without object), brisked, brisk·ing.

to make or become brisk; liven (often followed by up).

Origin of brisk

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin

Related formsbrisk·ly, adverbbrisk·ness, noun

Synonyms for brisk

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1. spry, energetic, alert.

Antonyms for brisk

1. languid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for briskly

vigorously, rapidly, nimbly, promptly, quickly, brusquely, enthusiastically

Examples from the Web for briskly

Contemporary Examples of briskly

There is an automatism to him, a preternatural talent for responding exactly, and briskly, with what is expected.
Oren Makes Friends, Not News
Jacob Silverman
October 16, 2012
Anyone who thought Jacqueline Kennedy was cut off from the day-to-day trials of the New Frontier has now been briskly disabused.
No One Knew JFK Like Jackie
Chris Matthews
September 23, 2011
While the fashion world wailed about the effect of the collapse of the economy on retail, she briskly assumed the leadership role.
How Anna Turned It 'Round
Tina Brown
September 11, 2009
The myth of “the Special Relationship” that Churchill invented is briskly demolished.
Best of Brit Lit
Peter Stothard
July 16, 2009

Historical Examples of briskly

And, in spite of these disturbances, business goes on briskly in the market of the wilderness.
Old News
Nathaniel Hawthorne
It was successful, Joe understood it, and went on briskly with the figures.
Tip Lewis and His Lamp
Pansy
Dilly got briskly up and gathered a drawer-full of papers into her apron.
Tiverton Tales
Alice Brown
It came on briskly, and came up to the front of the chateau.
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
But, after a moment's pause, he laughed aloud again, and walked on briskly.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon

British Dictionary definitions for briskly

brisk

adjective

lively and quick; vigorousa brisk walk; trade was brisk
invigorating or sharpbrisk weather

verb

(often foll by up) to enliven; make or become brisk

Derived Formsbriskly, adverbbriskness, noun

Word Origin for brisk

C16: probably variant of brusque

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for briskly

brisk

adj.

1550s, as Scottish bruisk, probably an alteration of French brusque (see brusque). Related: Briskly; briskness.