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
as in very
to a great degree
I jolly well agree that you did the right thing has become a jolly careful driver since his recent accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to joke
to make jokes
spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jolly
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children.
—Holly Garcia, Parents, 31 Dec. 2024
Alex González Ormerod, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
The matter of cracking down on politicians linked to the cartels was reportedly a sticking point in the otherwise jolly Sheinbaum-Rubio meeting, according to La Politica Online.
—Alex González Ormerod, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
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
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
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In the weeks that followed, the secretary also removed every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory committee, replacing them with a merry band of loyalists and skeptics.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
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Instead of treats, this calendar is packed with a mix of exciting goodies like plush toys, kicker toys, balls and popular stimulants like catnip and silvervine to keep your kitty playful and merry.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Outlook used to be complex and unfriendly, but Microsoft has replaced it with a far sleeker and faster version, which is surprisingly pleasant to work with.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Oct. 2025
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The home at 4573 Greenview Drive unfolds across 4,523 square feet with four en suite bedrooms and pleasant surprises around every corner.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
At the very least, a major influx of new cast members are bound to shake up the series third season, which will pick after the dramatic killing of a beloved character, the arrest of another, and the breakup between two more.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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The King very recently joked about his age during a visit to officially open the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Egan, who was nominated for her role as Chelsea Lawson in The Young and the Restless, which she's played since 2011, joked about her chances to win this year in an Instagram post following the nominations.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra joked.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Think spooky cocktails and mocktails, or a boo‑cuterie board layered with cheese, fruit, candy, and charcuterie for a festive and easy-to-assemble centerpiece.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
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Drape these festive tea towels over the handle of your oven or dishwasher for a pop of color and easy access to dry your hands or wipe up spills.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Also in town is the state’s second-largest museum, the Morris Museum, which is a Smithsonian affiliate, as well as the Frelinghuysen Arboretum with its delightful gardens and Patriots’ Path for hiking.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
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Washington state’s Long Beach Peninsula is a place where the uniquely quirky spirit and lush natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest blend in a delightful way.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The last six decades or so have been an extremely subtle hint, and the rest of us have cracked the code.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Join us for an enjoyable hour with one of our favorite guys.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Our priority is to ensure that all in attendance have a safe and enjoyable experience at the ballpark.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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