as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
we arrived at the Christmas party to find everyone already in a festive mood, perhaps owing in part to the punch
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Recent Examples of festive
Indeed, that brown-black crust is the most desirable part of paella, the festive dish of Valencian rice and other ingredients cooked in a wide circular paella pan over an open fire.
—
John Mariani, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Amid December’s festive glow, refugees remain hidden in forests along the Poland-Belarus border.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 May 2025
Plus, vibrant dresses are celebratory, festive, and look stunning in photos.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
Beach cabanas with sun loungers and larger, more comfortable beach huts are available, so plan on sticking around all day and well into the night for live music and festive parties.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
John Mariani, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Amid December’s festive glow, refugees remain hidden in forests along the Poland-Belarus border.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 May 2025
Plus, vibrant dresses are celebratory, festive, and look stunning in photos.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
Beach cabanas with sun loungers and larger, more comfortable beach huts are available, so plan on sticking around all day and well into the night for live music and festive parties.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Not so merry Mary Nothing was ever easy for Mary this season.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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Paul Kent and his merry musical men will be live from 7-9 p.m., Los Gatos Coffee Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos.—
Jake Richardson,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Crosby released a number of tunes throughout his career that were made perfectly for the jolliest time of the year, and his wins are still coming his way, even decades after his passing.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Montecito High School Para-educator Lindsay Swanson, an employee since August 2015, was praised for her passion and dedication while serving with a cheerful and positive demeanor.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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The show follows the adventures of José, a cheerful and curious character, along with his best friends —Obi, a playful rabbit, and Kim, a curious monkey.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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