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 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 Weary of dealing with angry calls from the mayor about Frank’s blithe trail of city property destruction, police chief Davis (CCH Pounder) warns him to play nice with major donor Kane, since Police Squad’s funding is at risk. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025 These lines are both nervous tics and statements of blithe confidence. Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Yes, the sun might be glancing off the snowdrifts, and the birds may be chirping away with blithe exuberance. Celine Nguyen, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for blithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blithe
Adjective
  • Choose from earrings, necklaces and bracelets in a variety of vibrant colors and cheerful patterns -- perfect for adding a pop of personality to your look or tucking into an Easter basket.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The tone is cheerful and relaxed and more than a little zany, especially as the body count goes up.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Cool and covered Navigating the changing seasons means creating an outdoor kitchen that’s both durable and designed for merry gatherings.
    Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
  • That would be the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where A-listers gather to drink, dance, and be merry until the early-morning hours.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Scott inflicts Ohm’s nonchalant meanness with a piercingly perverse matter-of-factness that places the character as far away as possible from the realm of likeability.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Margot Robbie’s understanding of the assignment is evident, her fringe frame coupled with a low and loosely bound ponytail (another hallmark of the nonchalant set).
    Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This means that previous modelling was likely overly optimistic of engine performance, and reveals that real engines will like underperform with existing designs.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
  • And many borrowers began the year cautiously optimistic that the momentum would continue.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Johansson revived the classic 1996 style that started it all, showing fresh iterations that were cropped, shrunken, and rendered in delicious shades like cotton-candy pink and jolly-rancher blue.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Set in Kyoto, the slasher horror follows three best friends who reunite and rekindle their lifelong friendship during what is intended to be a carefree girls trip.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Lindsay played a carefree youth who loved fútbol.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This warmer weather refresh of chicken and biscuits shakes up both the filling and topping for a lighter and brighter take on the classic.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
  • For generations in Korea, people saved the milky water left over from rinsing rice and used it as a simple beauty treatment to make skin look brighter and smoother.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday, as Israeli airstrikes landed in Tehran.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Those monthslong rallies were marked by a festive atmosphere and a striking blend of politics and pop culture, with protesters singing and waving colorful K-pop light sticks, and ended without major safety accidents.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

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