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

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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 Feeling festive, Klum wore two seperate looks, each with their own unique footwear. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Within minutes of opening, more than 100 shoppers had entered the store, filling aisles and loading carts with festive finds. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 But the fun doesn’t stop with figurines—the calendar also includes moldable sand and molds to make snowballs and snowflakes, plus pop-out play pieces like a festive tree and a sled to soar across the frozen landscape. — Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026 Taper candles are a quintessential fall decor accent, and this set of five festive votives fits right in with both Halloween and Thanksgiving displays. — Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
  • This is a place where adults make the pilgrimage to the legendary Pinto Ron and Pizza Pete tailgate spot in the Hammer Lot where Pinto Ron's team of merry pranksters pour shots of liquor into a bowling ball finger hole.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 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
  • Peter Max, whose cheerful graphic images helped define 1960s hippie and Summer of Love culture, has died at age 88, reports The New York Times.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But poll respondents weren’t particularly cheerful about the ideas of Democrats either, or of Democratic Socialists, who have been much in the news of late.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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