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

Related Words

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
SummerFest stands as the major event on the HDA calendar, and features performances, carnival attractions and rides, followed by a fundraising gala in the evening. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 Here, there is not just one cube, but many, spread across the floor and joined by bars and tables, a sleek, shining indoor carnival. — Ryan P. C. Trimble, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 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
  • Two people were killed and at least five others were injured in a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday night as the civic center complex hosted a major food festival.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 27 July 2026
  • Three people are dead and four others are injured after shots rang out at the Bite of Seattle food festival at the Seattle Center on Sunday, according to officials.
    — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 27 July 2026
Definition of festival
Adjective
  • In Trinidad, which has a sizable population of Indian-origin immigrants, there is a local carnivalesque form of the holiday called Hosay.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026
  • The atmosphere, for a while, was carnivalesque.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of carnivalesque
Noun
  • Harvick vividly recalls the immense crowds and emotional post-race celebration, fulfilling a deep childhood aspiration.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Charli’s shameless celebration of her taste comes as AI companies are promising everyone can be an artist.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of celebration
Adjective
  • The joyous if relatively restrained gathering was the culmination of the riotous nationwide celebrations that had broken out on the evening of April 12, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in.
    — Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
  • Guns is an actor and writer, known for her razor-sharp observations and riotous voice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of riotous
Noun
  • Bobis reviewed the sparkling apple ginger sour cherry mocktail and called it a fit for fall festivities and Sober October.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 22, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • The match ended in a tie, yet that did not preclude the hundreds of Ecuadorians assembled to wave their flags, dance and continue the festivities.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of festivity
Adjective
  • The prospect of attending a raucous three-day party on South Beach comes as disappointing news to Joe’s girlfriend Jennifer (Teyana Taylor), who’s waiting for her own proposal.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Could the temporary seating at BMO Field actually withstand the number of people All those fears were quelled when Toronto put on six memorable matchday experiences, along with raucous watch parties throughout the city.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of raucous
Adjective
  • Over six weeks of World Cup play, boisterous watch parties strengthened that claim, helping draw more than 900,000 visits downtown.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • In front of a boisterous Royal Birkdale crowd, the final round of the 2026 Open absolutely delivered.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of boisterous
Adjective
  • 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
  • Kids join academies as raffish improvisors, little bundles of wild ideas and schemes.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 10 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on carnival

Nglish: Translation of carnival for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carnival

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