as in jolly
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the traditional depiction of Santa Claus as a rotund man with merry, twinkling blue eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective merry differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of merry are blithe, jocund, jolly, and jovial. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

When can blithe be used instead of merry?

The synonyms blithe and merry are sometimes interchangeable, but blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When could jocund be used to replace merry?

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

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

In what contexts can jolly take the place of merry?

The words jolly and merry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When is it sensible to use jovial instead of merry?

While in some cases nearly identical to merry, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

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 merry Discovering its contents, day in and day out throughout the course of the merriest month of the year, will give you a taste of Glasshouse Fragrances’ bestselling formulas that please even the pickiest of noses. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025 Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season! Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025 Big Sur has enjoyed a reputation as a dream destination long before Big Little Lies and its merry band of accidentally murderous suburban mothers came around. Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2025 His merry band of bird bouncers kept their eyes upon the crowd, making sure the birds are not harmed by any reckless actions, before each bird is rewarded with tidbits of chicken. Ryan Garza, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for merry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merry
Adjective
  • And all are available 24/7 like the jolliest amusement park without a single ride.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Gordon helped transform The Rizzler, a jolly 9-year-old, into this generation’s Shirley Temple.
    Taylor Lorenz, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Max out the cream cheese theme by adding swirls or dollops of rich and tangy Cream Cheese Frosting (below) tinted with gel or paste food coloring in your favorite festive holiday hues.
    Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The city is a popular spot, especially around Oktoberfest and the festive season, thanks to its renowned Christmas markets.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If possible, insulate and add drywall to the garage, and paint the interiors a bright, cheerful color.
    Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
  • My inbox began to fill with cheerful nudges from Stephen, my editor.
    Big Think, Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Merry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merry. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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