Definition of blithenext
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as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor a blithe remark that good food enjoyed with good company makes good wine seem even better

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blithe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of blithe are jocund, jolly, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

Where would jocund be a reasonable alternative to blithe?

The words jocund and blithe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than blithe?

The meanings of jolly and blithe largely overlap; however, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When can jovial be used instead of blithe?

The synonyms jovial and blithe 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 blithe?

Although the words merry and blithe have much in common, 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 blithe In the Times’ reporting, both men are portrayed in all their vanity and blithe aggression. David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025 Across almost 20 novels, the British author spun fantastical tales with unsentimental wit, infusing his work with darkly morbid humor, blithe child endangerment, rotten and antagonistic adults, and a willingness to occasionally laugh at the misfortune of others. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 As for prison itself, Boone is blithe. Carrie Battan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 Saul Steinberg’s artwork captured the insularity of Manhattan, the blithe sense of locals that not much beyond the island really exists nor matters. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blithe
Adjective
  • This tiger red balayage on a brunette base is as cheerful as a sunny day.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shortly before the opening of Nasdaq trading on Friday, Elon Musk stepped in front of a cheerful crowd at SpaceX’s company town in Texas.
    Jordan Novet,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Our leads will be abandoning the mean streets of New York City for merry old London.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
  • Starr and his band of merry men would deliver a 100-minute-plus show that was filled with 22 great tunes that most everyone in the house knew by heart.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • This nonchalant maneuver enables Jefferson to extol America as the seat and refuge of liberty over and against the contradictions of the hour.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026
  • Behind the black shades, the 22-year-old looked like a mirror image of her mom, channeling Paltrow's signature nonchalant pose.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • Both Perez and Conine began rehab assignments with Triple A Jacksonville this week, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was optimistic about both players’ trajectories.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
  • That is a loss, on paper, in the optimistic scenario, and if the number of visitors falls short, the gap only widens.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Tar Heels went three-up, three-down in the sixth, but the next inning Gallaher and his teammates were having a jolly time on a clear and cool evening at Charles Schwab Field.
    Eric Olson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2026
  • The Tar Heels went three-up, three-down in the sixth, but the next inning Gallaher and his teammates were having a jolly time on a clear and cool evening at Charles Schwab Field.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Oh, to be a little carefree child again running barefoot through the summer days.
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
  • Robinson’s personal effort to reclaim her joy quickly struck a chord with other women who longed to reconnect with the carefree days of their youth.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Just use Dubhe and Merak, the two bright stars in the front edge of the pot of the Big Dipper, opposite the handle, as pointer stars to Polaris.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 June 2026
  • Initial crowds were eager to watch the twisty conspiracy thriller on the biggest and brightest screens, with premium large formats representing a mighty 48% of grosses.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The matches are also being projected onto some of the walls, and festive touches have been added to the taxidermy.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • On Sunday, Scottish supporters charmed locals with a festive march to Fenway Park, where the Red Sox hosted Scottish Heritage Night amid an influx of World Cup fans.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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