1
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
2
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
as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
his constant cheerfulness makes him a pleasure to be around
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cheerful
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Think softer citrus tones, cheerful corals, butter yellows, and vibrant pinks and greens—anything that feels particularly sunny or energetic.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 28 May 2026
Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheerful
Adjective
Pot Up Cheery Marigolds A cheerful pot of sunny yellow or bright orange marigolds always brings a smile to our faces.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Think softer citrus tones, cheerful corals, butter yellows, and vibrant pinks and greens—anything that feels particularly sunny or energetic.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 28 May 2026
Noun
Lastly, yellow tulips symbolize cheerfulness, happiness, and optimism.
—Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheerful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheerful
Adjective
-
Ex-Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín wore bright pink on the Louis Vuitton catwalk in 2019, while Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga walked for Balenciaga in 2022.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus the Swan.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
She could easily be spotted along parade routes with her cheery VW Beetle covered with retro colorful flower stickers from front to back.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
Celebrate June with some cheery upgrades to bring the joy of summer indoors.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
As the base runners scampered home, tying the game, Chicago players and fans alike shrieked with glee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bardem is captivating and formidable, grinning with maniacal glee at his every act of depravity and the fear and anguish of his victims.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Workers who feel optimistic about AI’s effect on their careers report dramatically stronger workplace outcomes across engagement, effort, and intent to stay.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Her mindset immediately shifted from a sinking feeling to being optimistic about the future.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Maybe not stuck in an urban jam, dodging potholes or crawling amid draconian speed limits – but out there on the open road, taking sunny corners in a nice car?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
-
Those marching orders left opponents and free speech advocates in disbelief, wondering how park employees were supposed to put a sunny spin on monuments acknowledging slavery, Jim Crow laws and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The controversy is unlikely to overshadow this week’s festivities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
The festivities were held at the terrace bar nine floors above Times Square at the Edition Hotel, and anyone sneaking in an illicit cigarette out on the balcony gets treated to a giant Wicked billboard flashing in LEDs.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
What may not be as familiar is Smith’s consistently upbeat attitude in the midst of chaos, capturing it all for her followers on Instagram and YouTube as The Unlikely Countrywoman.—
Caroline Utz,
The Spruce,
2 June 2026
-
In the Padres’ clubhouse, Arraez occupied a stall near both of those stars, but several other players on the Padres, plus many ex-teammates with other teams, have said the Venezuelan’s upbeat personality and high energy improved the team’s chemistry.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Moments after the initial results were posted Tuesday evening, a smattering of cheers arose from a crowd of dozens of prosecutors, inspectors and at least two Alameda County supervisors who gathered at Jones Dickson’s watch party in Oakland.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
The roll call Wednesday was 215-208, and cheers erupted in the House chamber.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cheerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheerful. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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