1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity
in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 festivity
In the middle of the festivities, Cameron and Ray watch as it's revealed that Iraq has invaded Kuwait.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Kansas City native, Pyet DeSpain grew up with food at the center of many cultural festivities.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
After wrapping up the birthday festivities, all eyes will turn to Drake’s Iceman album’s arrival.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
Saturday’s festivities begin with an Aztec blessing and parade along the pier, followed by ballet folklorico performances, live music, and a blessing of the ofrendas inside the carousel building.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Kansas City native, Pyet DeSpain grew up with food at the center of many cultural festivities.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
After wrapping up the birthday festivities, all eyes will turn to Drake’s Iceman album’s arrival.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
Saturday’s festivities begin with an Aztec blessing and parade along the pier, followed by ballet folklorico performances, live music, and a blessing of the ofrendas inside the carousel building.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
As Milchick, Tillman infused an unnerving cheerfulness into Lumon Industries’ macrodata refinement supervisor, a character who became increasingly central in Season 2.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Her vivacious attitude connects her with Aries (Stacey’s actual birthday is April 3) due to her fearlessness and cheerfulness in situations, no matter what is thrown at her.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
By the time of the centennial celebration in 1926 (a year late), tens of thousands of miles of railroad track crossed the country.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Before, Singh said, citywide politicians engaged South Asian and Muslim voters at Hindu Diwali or Islamic Eid celebrations, usually speaking to a few prominent gatekeepers, often religious leaders or business owners.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Their everlasting merrymaking might seem warm and fuzzy at first glance, but in truth, there is a gloomy undercurrent to their existence, hiding just beneath the surface.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2025
-
Alternatively, the Perry Lane Hotel, as well as the brand-new, Ann Savannah, will put you in the heart of the merrymaking.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There’s no glee in the characters, yet somehow James manages to convey a sense of delirious glee for acting — a glee that proves contagious for the audience by the film‘s end.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
That boyish glee was evident again Monday against Utah.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Its expanding partnership with distributor PepsiCo (similar to the deal between Monster and Coca-Cola), and its sponsorships of festivals, sporting events, and athletes is also helping establish its presence among consumers.—
Charlotte Hu,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout the festival, anyone looking for a drink (hot or cold and alcoholic or not) can find it at the 50-foot ice bar, which showcases the talents of local mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For all the revelry, there was a tough, discursive seriousness in the approach that Lang and O’Hara took to their labors in the late forties and early fifties.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Thirty-two in-person bands were scheduled to join in the revelry Sunday, organizers said, with 11 from Massachusetts and others from Seattle to New Orleans to Minneapolis.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The holiday cheer doesn’t stop here.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
-
While the holidays are a time to spread cheer, for many families across the country this season can be wrapped with feelings of sadness, stress, or grief.—
Parents Editors,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From rushing out of the office to get party-ready, or hustling through the airport and reuniting with loved ones, to finally arriving at a glamorous night out with friends, each scene conveys merriment and personal style set against the backdrop of New York City.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
True to his reputation as a naturalist, Shakespeare had transcribed a duet of love and partnership between two owls as part of a song of lust and merriment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share