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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as in carnivalesque
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of carnival
Chloe McGowan, The Indianapolis Star, 27 June 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
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
This year, a full carnival experience with ride-all-day wristbands is being offered.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carnival
Noun
Whitestown's family-friendly Independence Day Celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. with live music, carnival-style food, a ticketed kid's zone and a fireworks show once the sun goes down.
—Chloe McGowan, The Indianapolis Star, 27 June 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
Adjective
Admission is free and activities include inflatables, carnival games, coloring and beating.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
This year, a full carnival experience with ride-all-day wristbands is being offered.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carnival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnival
Noun
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As the evening goes on, DJs take over the rooftop, giving the night a festival-like energy against the Fort Worth skyline.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Canadian festival launchpad also reflects the Canuck roots of a comedy legend known for being a gentle and humble everyman to Hollywood audiences before his unexpected death in 1994.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The scene outside Pearl Street, following the verdict, was literally carnivalesque, almost nihilistic, as revellers poured baby oil on themselves.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
3 July 2025
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Before last year’s trial, the blocks surrounding the Superior Court in Dedham developed a carnivalesque atmosphere.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The charity, which Harry has been a patron of since 2007, is holding its celebration evening honoring young people who live with challenging and life-limiting conditions and marking the contributions of those who look after them, from parents to nursing staff and carers.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The famous golf swing celebration isn’t out of place either.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For the finale, the street went dark, and the UBS Arena in Elmont, near New York City, was lit up with teal strobe lights like a riotous party.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 Sep. 2025
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As seen in this riotous new trailer, the sequel picks up where the original series left off.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The grand finale of the festivities will unfold on November 10 at The Jealous Monk, where bartenders will battle it out in a Mystic Cocktail Competition.—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Independence Day festivities in the Windy City this year were quieter, some even postponed, under the weight of the looming threats.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Almost every minute of their next few hours is broadcast to millions worldwide and soundtracked by the raucous crowd inside a cauldron-like Arthur Ashe Stadium.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Golden State fans in black and violet get even louder, live on the edge of raucous and dance like no one’s watching, whether the music is by Mac Dre or Rihanna.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Their 13th album, International, interprets the ritual of early retirement sendoff as a boisterous dance party with plenty of music royalty cameos showing up to pay their respects.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
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Among the latter, McElwee pays a visit to his longtime friend Charleen Swansea, who stole the show in Sherman’s March with her boisterous real-talk and raunchy humor.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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There’s an over-the-top and overdressed fish out of water (me), a raffish Englishmen homesick for Great Britain (my husband Aidan, who will be mortified to read any of this), and an ensemble of quirky characters.—
Mosha Lundström Halbert,
Vogue,
20 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Carnival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnival. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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