playfully

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.

When the two heads of government met at a summit in Egypt last October, Trump was chummy, playfully ribbing the tall Spanish leader about which of them would prevail on defense spending.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Earlier this month, Punch's situation began looking up when zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo, near Tokyo, posted that he was gradually integrating with a troop of monkeys -- "playfully poking others and getting scolded".

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Even the snobbiest TV snoots can’t resist Alan Cumming as the playfully sadistic laird of Ardross Castle, emceeing what is essentially a closed circle murder mystery.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

After the Rams came back in 2016, and the Chargers followed a year later, I playfully asked Goodell, “When will Los Angeles stop getting NFL teams?”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

My father found me in the rearview mirror so I could see his eyes roll playfully.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx