Synonyms of cheer

cheer 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to applaud

to declare enthusiastic approval of

critics and fans alike have cheered the latest addition to the author's series of fantasy novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• applaud
• praise
• hail
• salute
• acclaim
• commend
• laud
• crack up
• clap
• tout
• accredit
• celebrate
• rise (to)
• endorse
• bravo
• recommend
• approve
• sing
• eulogize
• support
• favor
• root (for)
• doff one's hat to
• extol
• ballyhoo
• emblazon
• adulate
• overpraise
• idolize
• magnify
• glorify
• flatter
• deify
• belaud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• knock
• blame
• slam
• pan
• disparage
• put down
• belittle
• criticize
• censure
• admonish
• chide
• rebuke
• reprove
• reproach
• reprimand
• reprobate
• discommend
• vilify
• excoriate
• castigate
• reprehend
• skewer
• slag
• lambaste
• keelhaul

2

as in to reassure

to ease the grief or distress of

let's hope that these flowers will cheer my ailing aunt at least a little

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reassure
• assure
• comfort
• soothe
• console
• solace
• uplift
• sympathize
• empathize
• commiserate
• lift
• relieve
• alleviate
• allay
• condole
• relax
• calm
• elevate
• boost
• buoy (up)
• assuage
• quiet
• tranquilize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distress
• trouble
• discourage
• torment
• worry
• upset
• torture
• demoralize
• intensify
• aggravate
• annoy
• fret
• worsen
• dishearten
• irritate
• harass
• irk
• pester

cheer

2 of 2

noun

ˈchir 

1

as in glee

a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter

a birthday celebration filled with affection and cheer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glee
• cheerfulness
• merriness
• festivity
• mirth
• hilarity
• cheeriness
• merriment
• joviality
• gleefulness
• joking
• joyfulness
• mirthfulness
• humor
• gaiety
• brightness
• funning
• gayness
• reveling
• jocundity
• jollification
• frivolity
• levity
• revelry
• jollity
• rejoicing
• playfulness
• buoyancy
• sunniness
• giddiness
• jocularity
• animation
• jubilance
• lightheartedness
• joyousness
• vivacity
• insouciance
• liveliness
• buffoonery
• sportiveness
• flippancy
• jauntiness
• jocosity
• perkiness
• jesting
• joshing
• jocoseness
• rollicking
• gamesomeness
• romping
• frolicking
• clownishness
• good-naturedness
• gamboling
• good-humoredness
• jest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sorrow
• sadness
• dejection
• unhappiness
• blues
• gloom
• melancholy
• depression
• bile
• discontent
• spleen
• despondence
• gravity
• earnestness
• seriousness
• forlornness
• sourness
• solemnity
• grimness
• woe
• soberness
• disgruntlement
• darkness
• misery
• mournfulness
• moodiness
• gloominess
• glumness
• mourning
• joylessness
• solemnness
• plaintiveness
• blackness
• heartbreak
• graveness
• sobersidedness
• desolation
• woefulness
• wretchedness
• desolateness
• dolefulness
• dolorousness
• miserableness

2

as in relief

a feeling of ease from grief or trouble

the visiting general had some words of cheer for each of the hospital's recuperating soldiers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relief
• encouragement
• consolation
• comfort
• solace
• reassurance
• sympathy
• uplift
• happiness
• inspiration
• assurance
• assistance
• empathy
• alleviation
• help
• contentment
• mitigation
• gladness
• succor
• aid
• assuagement
• commiseration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distress
• anguish
• torture
• torment
• heartbreak
• heartache

3

as in spirit

a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion

be of good cheer in this Christmas season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spirit
• mood
• mode
• humor
• temper
• frame of mind
• attitude
• feather
• sentiment
• feeling
• emotion
• opinion
• perspective
• heart
• viewpoint
• mind
• standpoint
• belief
• outlook
• angle
• conviction
• strain
• judgment
• slant
• vein
• mind-set
• expression
• tone
• passion
• sensitivity
• temperament
• individuality
• personality
• disposition
• mettle
• identity
• makeup
• character
• responsiveness
• sensibility
• sensitiveness
• selfhood
• self-identity

4

as in ovation

enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval

all three movies in the series received cheers from fans of the novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ovation
• applause
• cheering
• praise
• acclaim
• acclamation
• plaudit(s)
• rave(s)
• réclame
• clapping
• hurrah
• tribute
• hail
• hallelujah
• eulogy
• hosanna
• paean
• compliment
• panegyric
• huzzah
• encomium
• kudos
• homage
• bravo
• salutation
• commendation
• accolade
• citation
• kudo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• booing
• hissing
• whistle
• jeer
• sneer
• boo
• smirk
• hiss
• raspberry
• snort
• snicker
• hoot
• taunt
• snigger
• gibe
• put-down

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cheer

Verb

Pete, the first Navajo player to ever sign a contract in the NFL, went viral in the preseason after thousands of members of the Navajo Nation attended the team’s preseason game in Arizona to cheer him on. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Fans of both teams cheered and groaned as their favorite players' fortunes fluctuated. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Noun

The result is a different kind of school spirit, one built not only on cheers and rivalry, but also on trust, patience and the understanding that the animal’s needs must always come first. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

He was welcomed back with mostly cheers, and a smattering of boos, from fans in his first game as a visitor at Comerica Park since being traded this month. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing cheer

• Bronx cheer
• cheer (up)