Synonyms of carnival

carnival 1 of 2

noun

ˈkär-nə-vəl 

as in festival

a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something

the town's annual Fourth of July carnival

Synonyms & Similar Words

• festival
• celebration
• festivity
• fiesta
• jubilee
• gala
• fete
• fest
• revelry
• exhibit
• exhibition
• fair
• merriment
• jamboree
• rejoicing
• merrymaking
• jollity
• revel
• jollification
• exposition
• show
• exercises
• honors

carnival

2 of 2

adjective

as in carnivalesque

Related Words

• carnivalesque
• riotous
• raucous
• boisterous
• raffish
• rowdy
• rampageous
• ruffianly
• rollicking
• rambunctious
• rowdyish
• rumbustious
• knockabout
• roisterous
• larrikin
• robustious
• violent
• hell-raising
• uncontrolled
• uncontrollable
• callithumpian
• turbulent
• uninhibited
• exuberant
• unmanageable
• stormy
• lively
• undisciplined
• unruly
• effervescent
• tempestuous
• ungovernable
• buoyant
• recalcitrant
• unreserved
• obstreperous
• vivacious
• bubbly
• intractable
• unrestrained
• high-spirited
• impassioned
• headstrong
• wild
• sprightly
• willful
• strident
• vociferous
• noisy
• rackety
• yelling
• clamorous
• loudmouthed
• screaming
• howling
• open-mouthed

Dissimilar Words

• orderly
• proper
• solemn
• sedate
• somber
• staid
• decorous
• silent
• peaceful
• collected
• sober
• quiet
• dignified
• controlled
• calm
• tranquil
• placid
• serene
• composed
• seemly
• reasonable
• restrained
• soundless
• imperturbable
• noiseless
• repressed
• moderate
• unruffled
• subdued
• hushed
• unflappable
• temperate
• inhibited
• constrained
• phlegmatic
• stolid
• stoic
• depressed
• impassive
• indifferent
• detached
• aloof
• self-controlled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of carnival

Noun

Before video games, popular shooting games – the kind found at fairs and carnivals – generally involved friendly competition, with players competing to see who could hit targets most accurately. — Mark J. P. Wolf, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026

Along with the album, U2 released two surprise EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, that turn out to be conceptually linked to the new album via the liturgical calendar, with carnival preceding Lent and Easter. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The Children’s Zoo encouraged youngsters to feed and pet the animals, but eliminated carnival-style gimmicks that were common in zoos at the time. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2022

The Queen is also expected to attend the Derby, one of her favorite horse race events, a concert at Buckingham Palace and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a carnival-style celebration during which many artists, including Ed Sheeran, will perform. — Monique Jessen, PEOPLE.com, 12 May 2022