Definition of jocundnext
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor old friends engaged in jocund teasing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective jocund differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jocund are blithe, jolly, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When would blithe be a good substitute for jocund?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocund, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When might jolly be a better fit than jocund?

In some situations, the words jolly and jocund are roughly equivalent. However, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

In what contexts can jovial take the place of jocund?

The words jovial and jocund are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When can merry be used instead of jocund?

The meanings of merry and jocund largely overlap; however, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

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 jocund Political Mooovment forces an examination of how consuming dairy and meat harms our planet and potentially our bodies, underscored by a jocund tone. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 29 May 2021 There’s a feeling of joy that comes with walking into Jovanina’s Broken Italian, a jocund eight-month-old eatery that’s part of LoDo’s recent restaurant renaissance. Daliah Singer, The Know, 6 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocund
Adjective
  • Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In fact, the more, the merrier!
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The surviving kids begin to suspect something is up, but their attempts to appeal to this world’s sad excuses for adult supervision — a jolly mailman, a blank-faced nurse, and a talking train — just lead to more murders.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • All February long, 618 is offering a 4-course $99 Romance Experience Menu paired with fun, festive Valentine's Day cocktail specials.
    Courtney Cherry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • From creamy dips to spicy wings to pigs in a blanket, all of these festive recipes are sure to crowdpleasers.
    Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jocund.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocund. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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