1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in properly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose
one of those rare occasions on which business and pleasure happily mixed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happily
Annie can be seen playing, seeking affection and happily engaging with Hannah and the other dogs in the home.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The 15-year-old has a strong love for reading and often chooses chapter books, happily spending time getting lost in a good story.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Now estranged from his loud-mouthed clan, happily partnered and with a similarly neurotic daughter, Malcolm is forced to enter the fore amid Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois’ (Jane Kaczmarek) 40th wedding anniversary celebration.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2026
In John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the buds happily reproduce the breadth of instruments included.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The 15-year-old has a strong love for reading and often chooses chapter books, happily spending time getting lost in a good story.
—The Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Now estranged from his loud-mouthed clan, happily partnered and with a similarly neurotic daughter, Malcolm is forced to enter the fore amid Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois’ (Jane Kaczmarek) 40th wedding anniversary celebration.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2026
In John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the buds happily reproduce the breadth of instruments included.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
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Joined by Feig's wife, Laurie, and Byrne's partner, Bobby Cannavale, the star pulled out her phone and cheerfully snapped selfies of the foursome.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Netflix’s Ted Sarandos likewise ripped Cameron, but Sarandos would still cheerfully kill to acquire a single new Cameron film over a hundred Red Notices and Rebel Moons.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Everyone is urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
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Shades of Apollo 13 The Artemis astronauts will orbit Earth for a day to make certain everything is working properly before igniting the main engine and heading for the moon.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The Goldman Sachs data, which shows real productivity acceleration in industries with higher adoption rates, suggests that the gap may be closing—but only for firms that have actually deployed the tools and done so correctly.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Foster said a few people correctly guessed the breed combination.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Courier lockers—commonly used in apartment buildings, offices and parcel collection hubs—typically rely on drivers selecting an appropriately sized compartment for each delivery.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert the company, which will then share the evidence appropriately.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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