jolly 1 of 3

1
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor an especially jolly crowd of well-wishers at their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses we always have a jolly time at their seaside cottage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jolly

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adverb

jolly

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective jolly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jolly are blithe, jocund, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Where would blithe be a reasonable alternative to jolly?

In some situations, the words blithe and jolly are roughly equivalent. However, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When is it sensible to use jocund instead of jolly?

Although the words jocund and jolly have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When could jovial be used to replace jolly?

The synonyms jovial and jolly are sometimes interchangeable, but jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When is merry a more appropriate choice than jolly?

The words merry and jolly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 jolly
Adjective
The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children. Holly Garcia, Parents, 31 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Icicle Shimmer Collection Included in the Icicle Shimmer Collection is a holly jolly snowman juggling snowflakes, an adorable twinkling candy cane adorned with a big red bow, and a toppling tower of presents waiting to be unwrapped. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025 Faygo soda pop provides fizzy array of flavors With flavors such as fruity ice cream, bubble gum and jolly green apple, Faygo, known for its fun flavors, started as Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works in Detroit in 1907. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
This isn’t a report by the fun police: Twelfth Night is bursting with life and humor and should by no means be a moody slog, but Ali’s production is too intent on jollying us along. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025 Director Nisha Ganatra jollies it along, with editor Eleanor Infante making as much rhythmic sense of the mix-ups and physical craziness as possible. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jolly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly
Adjective
  • However, the night really belonged to 15-year-old Brit Cooper and his merry band of Adolescence superstars.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
  • And, of course, the more pumpkins, the merrier!
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The exterior design is understated and pleasant.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The dog-friendly outdoor space practically beckons visitors to grab a glass and a seat to while away a pleasant weekend afternoon.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • If the oil price comes down, very simply, Russia will settle, and the oil price is way down.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • From September to November, the colors of the leaves make a very pretty contrast to the high red rock canyon walls.
    Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Below, how late-night hosts Meyers, Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Fallon reacted to — and joked about — Kimmel’s suspension.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The message comes just a few days after Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman joked about the predicament at CNBC's Game Plan conference in Los Angeles.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With less than 100 days to go until Christmas, Miracle and Sippin' Santa announced their festive return to Louisville.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.
    Alexander Cox, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the wine lists are delightful physical specimens, bound in corrugated cardboard in homage to the nineteen-seventies Italian cookbook series In Bocca, and découpaged with psychedelic illustrations from the books.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
  • After a delightful dummy past Gravenberch, Grealish set up a chance from which Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should at least have hit the target.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • This shift would prove extremely successful in bolstering Turning Point’s reputation.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Smart cities are an enticing target for adversaries, ranging from cybercriminals to nation-state actors, since the consequences of a successful hack may be widespread and extremely disruptive to daily life.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This bike is meant to move, whether to speed through a commute, push an exercise ride a bit farther, or tackle that one hill that ruins your otherwise enjoyable route.
    Kevin Purdy, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Striving to be a hub for a high quality, affordable, and enjoyable vaping, the shop expanded into the CBD market in 2019 and is now focused on being a shop for all vapers.
    Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.

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