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For
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a happy ending
a pleasant ending
a positive ending
a cheerful ending
a hopeful ending
a joyful ending
a happy birthday
a joyous birthday
a merry birthday
a joyful birthday
a great birthday
a special birthday
a happy marriage
a good marriage
a successful marriage
a great marriage
a wonderful marriage
a joyous marriage
happy memories
special memories
positive memories
pleasing memories
pleasant memories
cheerful memories
a happy face
a cheerful face
an elated face
a pleased face
a delighted face
an ecstatic face

Synonym Chooser

How is the word happy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of happy are fortunate, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

Where would fortunate be a reasonable alternative to happy?

In some situations, the words fortunate and happy are roughly equivalent. However, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

When might lucky be a better fit than happy?

The meanings of lucky and happy largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

When could providential be used to replace happy?

While in some cases nearly identical to happy, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 happy Policies may set the direction, but people are the bricks that build this world—only happy individuals can create a truly harmonious society. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 3 May 2025 Indeed, a 2019 study by the Happiness Research Institute found that 73 percent of people who are happy with their homes also are happier in general. Matt Alderton, USA Today, 3 May 2025 The best way to get positive reviews is simply to ask your happy customers or clients to leave one on Google. Jason Hennessey, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025 Adopting it for use cases that support human workers, rather than attempting to replace them, is likely to lead to happier, less stressed and ultimately more productive employees. Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy
Adjective
  • Colorado finished the period with 19 shots on goal — and held a ridiculous 10-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick — and Oettinger and the Stars were somewhat fortunate to only be down two.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Fox was one of the fortunate ones to have the opportunity to face the suspect in court, see the sentencing and get closure.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The crowd, at first shocked, and then raucously delighted, seemed unable to believe their ears.
    Paul Albani-Burgio, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Maurice was delighted with his goaltender’s performance.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Only about half of patients are satisfied with the service at their health care provider's call center, according to a 2023 survey of 200 senior leaders.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • And the customer can leave satisfied having gotten answers about their car repairs in a much shorter period, rather than wait hours or days for a diagnosis.
    Muqsit Ashraf, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • With more people than ever traveling for experiences and planning trips with friends to see their favorite artist, Marriott Bonvoy is giving a few lucky fans an exclusive experience through the Marriott Bonvoy® Cowboy Carter Tour Sweepstakes.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The lucky winners hit the jackpot one day apart, winning $150,000 and $125,000, respectively, according to the Georgia Lottery.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Midsize electric grills suitable for indoor/outdoor use are generally between 26-34 inches wide and can fit at least 10 burgers at a time.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This intelligent filtering ensures that only the most suitable candidates proceed to interviews, significantly accelerating recruitment cycles and reducing biases. 4.
    Tarun Eldho Alias, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The doc follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 2 May 2025
  • The screenwriter became obsessed with tennis during the 2018 rivalry between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, but what fascinated him was imagining what might be going on in the players’ minds.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Those with weakened immune systems cannot adequately mount an appropriate immune response when exposed to different diseases.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • Finally, be sure your timers are set to the appropriate schedule.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • My client is worried about losing benefits, which is not a reason to worry.
    Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Investors had also been worried about the fallout from sweeping U.S. tariffs that are prompting businesses to rein in spending.
    Deborah Sophia and Aditya Soni, USA Today, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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