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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 This is a sleazy, wretched racket, yet the film is nearly as blithe about it as Shawn is. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 July 2023 The blithe behavior of the officers and young women staffers in the photo is often unsettling, especially when the eight-member ensemble cast add an eerie soundtrack of laughter, accordion music or clattering spoons, as when the women eat fresh blueberries from china bowls. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2022 There will no doubt be some people who see the film and find its power structure, and its arguments, too lopsided, too blithe about Leo and all he’s carried with him into these trysts. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 The paper makes the blithe assertion that Ethiopians have been resident in the highlands of that nation for tens of thousands of years, but the latest research is that that just isn't so. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2012 See All Example Sentences for blithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blithe
Adjective
  • Montecito High School Para-educator Lindsay Swanson, an employee since August 2015, was praised for her passion and dedication while serving with a cheerful and positive demeanor.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • The show follows the adventures of José, a cheerful and curious character, along with his best friends —Obi, a playful rabbit, and Kim, a curious monkey.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Not so merry Mary Nothing was ever easy for Mary this season.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
  • Paul Kent and his merry musical men will be live from 7-9 p.m., Los Gatos Coffee Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos.
    Jake Richardson, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While a nonchalant approach might protect you from a heartbreak, there's no way to build real relationships without vulnerability and the risk of rejection, Robbins said.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • One video shows some of those on the boat maintaining a nonchalant attitude, with one man joking the vessel had hit an iceberg, Titanic-style.
    Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Demographics Overall, survey results showed men were more optimistic than women on almost every economic question.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
  • What leaders in Congress have said about a rescissions package Congressional Republicans are generally optimistic about the process — and eager to get started.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Crosby released a number of tunes throughout his career that were made perfectly for the jolliest time of the year, and his wins are still coming his way, even decades after his passing.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That carefree versatility mirrors Tecca’s creative process — especially these days.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 12 May 2025
  • In the now-viral clip, Jeff struts through their office wearing a beauty sheet mask, pops balloons with carefree flair, walks around wielding a mini mic and, most memorably, sits shirtless while receiving a vaccine.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • Prevost appeared Thursday wearing a bright red shoulder cover and an ornate stole – in keeping with Catholic tradition but departing from the simplistic white that Francis wore onto the same balcony 12 years earlier.
    Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
  • But instead of celestial bodies sparkling in the night, doctors in South Korea were gazing at bright brain lesions punctuating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Beach cabanas with sun loungers and larger, more comfortable beach huts are available, so plan on sticking around all day and well into the night for live music and festive parties.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
  • Add Ambience with Layered Lighting One way to create a festive ambience is by leaning into lighting.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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