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
  • Even the prettiest and most cheerful landscapes and still lifes, such as Belly Flowers and Sonny Hart’s Garden, use this contrast to create tension.
    Benjamin Lima Special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Just off the kitchen is a cheerful breakfast nook topped with skylights, inviting you to linger on weekend mornings.
    Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In fact, the more, the merrier!
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Petite and low-slung, the armless silhouette and oversized pillow cushions feel nonchalant but not sloppy, and can easily bring some dynamic energy to more formal living room seating layouts.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Her nonchalant, soft-glam is so perfectly mesmerizing, my TikTok and social media feeds are flooded with tutorials trying to re-create her signature style.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Filosa struck a more optimistic note for the current year, saying on an earnings call Friday that Stellantis would be profitable throughout 2026.
    Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The mood was resolved and optimistic, having found a way to continue where many efforts in international development have been derailed.
    Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The surviving kids begin to suspect something is up, but their attempts to appeal to this world’s sad excuses for adult supervision — a jolly mailman, a blank-faced nurse, and a talking train — just lead to more murders.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What is intended to be a carefree girls trip devolves into a nightmare, unfolding when Katie (Charli xcx) becomes possessed by a violent, tortured spirit (Mizuhara) in the Japanese horror tradition.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The same net spend metric was almost 10 times higher in the carefree summer weeks, according to Transfermarkt.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Statues of prominent citizens line the route, many missing heads or limbs, while religious and civic buildings once painted in bright colors now appear butter-yellow.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Despite the loss, the future is bright for the Patriots and but first there's the reaction from after the Super Bowl.
    Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • All February long, 618 is offering a 4-course $99 Romance Experience Menu paired with fun, festive Valentine's Day cocktail specials.
    Courtney Cherry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • From creamy dips to spicy wings to pigs in a blanket, all of these festive recipes are sure to crowdpleasers.
    Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

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