as in festivals
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of carnivals
Exotic animals were not typically a feature of carnivals; circuses, yes, but not carnivals.
—
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This festival featured carnivals that included music, costumes, and mocking church rituals.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Lunar New Year is celebrated across Asia and in the United States with parades, carnivals, fireworks and the remembrance of ancestors.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Of course, there’s the colorful king cake, the traditional New Orleans recipes like gumbo and jambalaya, as well as jubilant carnivals and parades.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
Tom Parker, who had recently quit the circuses and carnivals, was living in Tampa doing small independent promotions.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
When the days are short and the weather dreary across much of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, these winter carnivals bring a punch of joy.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 18 Oct. 2025
Lueder Designer Marie Lueder was inspired by a melange of things this season — intimate gatherings, medieval carnivals, intense football matches.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
Autumn might taste like pumpkin and toffee at Dairy Queen but Krispy Kreme is looking to carnivals for its latest fall flavors.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
This festival featured carnivals that included music, costumes, and mocking church rituals.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Lunar New Year is celebrated across Asia and in the United States with parades, carnivals, fireworks and the remembrance of ancestors.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Of course, there’s the colorful king cake, the traditional New Orleans recipes like gumbo and jambalaya, as well as jubilant carnivals and parades.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026
Tom Parker, who had recently quit the circuses and carnivals, was living in Tampa doing small independent promotions.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
When the days are short and the weather dreary across much of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, these winter carnivals bring a punch of joy.
—Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 18 Oct. 2025
Lueder Designer Marie Lueder was inspired by a melange of things this season — intimate gatherings, medieval carnivals, intense football matches.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
Autumn might taste like pumpkin and toffee at Dairy Queen but Krispy Kreme is looking to carnivals for its latest fall flavors.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnivals
Noun
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At one time, the GABF annually drew upward of 60,000 people to the Convention Center over three days each fall, with dozens and dozens of local bars, breweries and restaurants hosting their own events, beer tappings and mini-festivals.—
Jonathan Shikes,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
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Here is a running list of upcoming festivals and events centered around soccer this summer.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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This year’s celebrations include main events in Los Angeles on June 14, Chicago on June 20 and 21, San Francisco on June 27 and New York on June 28.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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SoFlo Festivals, Fairs & Festivities gives you a monthly look ahead to celebrations throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Nantucket’s town/county government is still scheduled to hold its Independence Day festivities, with a fireworks display capping off the day-long celebration.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The city has added another option, likely aimed at local attendees who would like to drive and park during the soccer celebration festivities.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carnivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnivals. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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