cheering 1 of 3

adjective

1
as in encouraging
making one feel good inside the cheering sight of a child being reunited with a pet that had been lost

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2
as in cheerful
serving to lift one's spirits cheering words from the doctor that the worst of the treatment was over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheering

2 of 3

noun

as in ovation
enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval a raucous cheering welcomed the newlyweds

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of cheer
1
as in applauding
to declare enthusiastic approval of critics and fans alike have cheered the latest addition to the author's series of fantasy novels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reassuring
to ease the grief or distress of let's hope that these flowers will cheer my ailing aunt at least a little

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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 cheering
Noun
The specter of the takeover wasn't apparent on Wednesday morning; the convocation itself was a large-scale pep rally, featuring live music, games, cheering, and dancing, all to boost morale and propel teachers forward. — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Felix Anudike-Uzomah The Lee Summit’s and K-State graduate found his way into Chiefs fans’ hearts for his enthusiastic reaction to getting drafted by his hometown team and walking through the cheering crowd at the draft held in Kansas City. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 On an episode of Today with Jenna and Sheinelle, the broadcaster admitted that her over-the-top cheering got her into trouble. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 31 July 2026 Teammates Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez helped spread the banner wide before TV cameras and cheering fans. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 Please order her not to roll her eyes at my cheering and clapping. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Players were spirited, despite the heat, clapping, cheering and singing at the start of training session at Inter Miami Stadium (formerly Chase Stadium) in Fort Lauderdale. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026 Paul, also sporting a buzz cut now, runs to the top of a plinth, high above a massive, cheering crowd. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 8 July 2026 The update featured a video taken sometime after the accident of Ross waving to a cheering crowd. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Verb
The one break was the difference as Sabalenka won the second set, the crowd cheering her on. — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 Among the supporters cheering for Austin at the race were his parents. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 By Monday morning, nearly everyone in the exhibition business was cheering. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 In a way, MacLeod is cheering for his own obsolescence; AI output is as proficient as most royalty-free music. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 Hernández climbed the fence in front of the Dodgers bullpen to snag the ball, with the bullpen on its feet cheering. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 The crowd lustily makes known its approval, clapping and cheering and spilling out of the park and through the woods comparing favorite tracks and excitedly talking about the set. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 The 45-year-old senator's popular stepmother, Michelle Bolsonaro, a leader for many evangelical voters, was one of the notable absences among about 500 people cheering him on in Sao Paulo. — ABC News, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheering
  1. encouraging
  2. cheerful
  3. ovation
  4. applauding
  5. reassuring
  6. comforting
  7. bright
  8. applause
Adjective
  • Paul Taylor Sunderland Sunderland’s pre-season has gradually improved, as defeats to Liverpool and Leeds have given way to encouraging performances, and wins, against Wrexham and Lens.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The story is less encouraging for those trying to break into the job market and for those who lost their jobs and are looking for new work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • In the Role Model book, Troy Barrett is a hockey player on Ilya’s team with a history of bullying, while Harris Drover is the team’s cheerful social media manager.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Outdoor brands like Halfdays, FP Movement, Patagonia, and Athleta have quite frankly never looked better, with cheerful colorways, unique designs, and trail-ready pieces all proving that function doesn’t have to mean boring.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheerful
Noun
  • Upon her return to Chase Center, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kate Martin receives a pregame tribute video and a standing ovation; Martin played one season for the Valkyries before being cut in training camp this year.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That production's final appearance in 1980 ignited a 45-minute ovation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of ovation
Verb
  • Leaders of several similar operations including Masonicare in Wallingford, Duncaster in Bloomfield and Elim Park in Hamden joined Fairview officials in applauding its growth.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor Swift's fans were quick to react to the change on social media, applauding whatever maneuvers Swift engaged in to curtail the use of her work.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of applauding
Verb
  • Suddenly, the person who had received the stage 4 diagnosis was also reassuring the person who loved her.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Parents can support their teens by having open conversations about their feelings and reassuring them during this big life change.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of reassuring
Adjective
  • Fall Dog Treats These cozy seasonal dog treats are made with simple organic ingredients, gently oven baked in small batches for a soft, flavorful reward inspired by the comforting tastes of fall.
    — Jessica Moore, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Those ‘boys’ are in their late forties and fifties now — a comforting reminder, to parents who may be despairing about enduring another entry in this franchise, that all children eventually grow up.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • For example, when light bends around a sharp obstacle or boundary, such as a knife edge, the waves bend and interfere with one another to create bands of dark and bright light.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • While The Row’s version is sold out in classic shades like black and cream, Quince just dropped fresh summer and early fall colors, including ivory, bright red, and tea green.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright
Noun
  • The department's decision was met with an eruption of applause.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Tekin told me that, after the court hearing, the women greeted Vlasova with applause.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of applause

Browse Nearby Words

cheeriness
cheering
cheering (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Cheering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheering. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cheering

Nglish: Translation of cheering for Spanish Speakers

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