CHEERFUL Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

cheerful

adjective

ˈchir-fəl

Definition of cheerful

as in bright

having or showing a good mood or disposition a cheerful person who is always fun to work with and a pleasure to be around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cheery

serving to lift one's spirits a hospital with sunny, cheerful rooms that are designed to make a patient's stay as pleasant as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cheerful But for Miller, creating a cheerful classroom isn’t about filling every available space. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner is an earthy, leathery scent that opens with a cheerful pop of mandarin, which brightens up the richer notes of rose, osmanthus, and vetiver. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026 In the Role Model book, the fifth in Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changer series, Troy Barrett (Gillespie) is a hockey player on Ilya’s team with a history of bullying, while Harris Drover (Smith) is the team’s cheerful social media manager. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 One option couldn’t be any cuter with its black cats and purple bows, while another features light pink checks with cheerful jack-o-lanterns and pink bows. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheerful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheerful

Adjective

That same day, hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse where Clancy is standing trial, wearing bright pink, in an attempt to raise awareness around maternal mental health.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
If these headsets move to 'see through' or augmented reality, the solution will likely require a MicroLED to be bright enough to compete with the daytime sun and surroundings of a drone pilot on the battlefield.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of bright

Adjective

The grape has truly found its spiritual home in New Zealand, where winemakers generally make cheap and cheery versions sporting aromas and flavors of cut grass, green herbs, green apple, and melon.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Not the psychological optimism of cheery moods, but the scientific optimism that is the main subject of this book.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheery

Adjective

On the battlefield, Zelenskyy was optimistic, saying Ukraine had almost completely regained control of the Dnipropetrovsk region, with only about 10 square kilometers and three small villages remaining outside Ukrainian control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Mexican producers are optimistic that the border reopening might staunch over a year of financial bleeding.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of optimistic

Adjective

In recent years, the Golden State has become a major hub for millennial homebuyers seeking sunny weather, career opportunities and a higher quality of life.

— Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
To attract them to your garden, Biggs recommends avoiding pesticides and building fishless ponds and sunny areas with perches.

— Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sunny

Adjective

Offer an upbeat alternative that costs less, and track the expense so freedom still feels available.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
In all, the star would devote a baker’s dozen of tunes on the 32-song setlist to this upbeat tropical music gem, which incorporates reggaeton, Latin pop, cumbia, salsa, vallenato and more.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of upbeat

Adjective

Women in black hijabs and abayas, many wearing badges depicting Zahra’s smiling face, lined the streets as men prayed over her casket, placed outside the Husseiniya, a Shiite hall.

— Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025

Definition of smiling

Adjective

However, developing specialized buoyant materials, underwater conduits, and anti-corrosive gear come with a premium price tag.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
The buoyant 808s ping-pong back and forth, sounding like an aquatic marching band ushering in a deep-sea championship team.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of buoyant

Browse Nearby Words

cheered (up)

cheerful

cheerfully

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“Cheerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheerful. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheerful

adjective

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