Definition of festivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 festive Enjoy a night of regional food and wine pairings, live entertainment and festive energy. Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 While the summer focuses on prepared foods, the Toupses also do holiday drop-offs during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day that provide ingredients for preparing festive meals at home. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 India’s busiest wedding and festive season typically runs from October to April, timed with auspicious dates and favorable weather. CNN Money, 30 July 2026 Completing the festive threads is a pair of silver earrings and similarly red, strappy pumps. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
  • Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, which marked the first holiday season for Epic Universe, merry decor was concentrated in its Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and Celestial Park sections.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Both his suggestion and the jolly appreciation seem out of tune with the situation ‘far from home’, which may be a military manoeuvre involving mock battles and bayonet practice, or a preparation for actual combat.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This plush captures its jolly mood with a big smile and a grinning sun across its belly (complete with sunglasses).
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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