carnival 1 of 2

noun

ˈkär-nə-vəl How to pronounce carnival (audio)
Definition of carnivalnext
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

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carnival

2 of 2

adjective

as in carnivalesque

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Dissimilar Words

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 carnival
Noun
So too, the possibility of Rollerball-style carnage carnivals where robots compete in vicious cage matches until only one android is still moving. — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Some prefer to splurge on concessions, while others save up for midway rides and carnival games. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 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 See All Example Sentences for carnival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnival
  1. festival
  2. carnivalesque
  3. celebration
  4. riotous
  5. festivity
  6. raucous
  7. boisterous
  8. raffish
Noun
  • Public pressure for access was fostered by Orange Audubon that co-sponsored the Birdapalooza festival that introduced the North Shore.
    — Deborah Green, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Maniatty finds hope in a growing group of independent festivals that are approaching accessibility as a core value.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of festival
Adjective
  • Luhansk, this terra incognita of the independent Ukraine, is described in almost carnivalesque terms, but this is a carnival infused with absurdity and even cruelty.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Overall, there is a driving energy to the album as well as a haunted carnivalesque atmosphere.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of carnivalesque
Noun
  • Sunday jazz brunches are something of a local institution, drawing Nairobi families for celebrations—the sign of a great city hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Four months later, Peter reaches out to an estranged Wendy with an invitation to his annual Scary New Year celebration at his parents’ remote cabin.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of celebration
Adjective
  • After a brief intermission, Toliver and Todd emerged onstage to riotous applause, hiking up the decibel levels in the room.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The riotous 640-page doorstopper grapples with homophobia then and now, the lingering specter of colonialism, the tumult of the AIDS crisis, and frameworks of power that demand dominance or submission.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of riotous
Noun
  • Black Friday may still be a few weeks away, but furniture retailers aren’t waiting for the official festivities to begin.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Bold statement earrings — the Pave Bow earrings from Neale’s Wrap It Up collection, her holiday capsule that was unveiled at the festivities — and a few choice rings rounded out her look.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of festivity
Adjective
  • Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half and the Valkyries celebrated their first championship — in their second season in the league — in front of their raucous Ballhalla home crowd.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But in those days, battle scenes were always accompanied by kind of raucous music.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of raucous
Adjective
  • It’s known for its fresh seafood in a boisterous, almost beer-hall atmosphere.
    — Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026
  • During the first Senate debate of the cycle in September at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Marshall was repeatedly heckled and interrupted by boisterous audience members.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of boisterous
Adjective
  • So did the holdout Grealish tragics; those of us who still cling to the memories of his raffish breakout years.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • And then there's a top-of-his-game Chevy Chase as a devil-may-care golfer and Bill Murray as a raffish groundskeeper.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026
Definition of raffish

Browse Nearby Words

carnality
carnival
carnivalesque
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Cite this Entry

“Carnival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnival. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on carnival

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carnival

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