1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 happily
Even if just a few days after, the two are happily spending a weekend together on Steven Spielberg’s yacht.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
As for the rector’s other housemates – a pair of scene-stealing dachshunds – Lewis is happily resigned to being upstaged.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
As for the rector’s other housemates – a pair of scene-stealing dachshunds – Lewis is happily resigned to being upstaged.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
-
No Mob boss, cheerfully decreeing that an inconvenient witness be rubbed out, could be more resolute.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
On a good day, the Undervale houses maybe two living human guests and at least a couple dozen haunts of all demographics, time periods and modes of death — including the brother Katherine inherited it all from, the cheerfully feckless Nathan (Will Forte).—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Impossible to judge him properly before then.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Alvar Aalto’s wiggly vase is instantly recognizable—a collectible item that will properly commemorate the special occasion.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
More pertinently, if Iroegbunam or Gueye tired or did not screen passes correctly (shown below), Rogers and Emiliano Buendia had huge spaces to receive and turn, owing to Everton’s deep centre-backs refusing to step out.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Most shoes have a firm outer, which takes up more space in your suitcase and can easily be dented if not packed correctly.—
Rebecca Shinners,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Yet, if a person is not appropriately dressed or is unable to regulate the temperature, prolonged exposure to any environment that is cooler than the body might result in hypothermia.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps appropriately, Clooney's new movie Jay Kelly follows him as an aging actor who reflects on the choices he's made over a long and successful career while traveling through Europe with his manager (Adam Sandler).—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share