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 Another sweet dish, the Star Spangled Frybread, comes with a sweet glaze, topped with festive red, white and blue sprinkles and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar from Its Dough Time for $12. Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026 Retailers now stock Summerween-specific items like festive banners, pumpkin beach balls, Jack-O-Melons, surfing pumpkins and skeleton pool floats. Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 Frank Capra’s Christmas classic is repeatedly voted Britain’s favourite festive film for a reason. Lea Tran, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 Perfumes Holy Berry Extrait de Parfum Holy Berry is a festive mix of red berries, oud, strawberry milk, and vanilla. Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
  • But Margaret and Alice’s quick-witted machinations provide the basis for a merry outing at the theater.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Four hundred years later, a merry band of scientists and entrepreneurs of mind-altering intoxicants are plunging even deeper into the diabolical by mechanizing DMT’s delivery via IV syringe pumps.
    Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is not the first time that either star of Naughty has gotten audiences into a jolly mood.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026
  • The problem was that plenty of officials from both the government and national association wanted in on the glory, piggy-backing on the team for a jolly trip to the World Cup.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Their cheerful golden blooms attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the summer, and their seed heads become an important food source for goldfinches and other songbirds in the fall and winter.
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026
  • On April 24, a 54-year-old male had a cardiac emergency on the attraction, a gentle boat ride that floats by scenes featuring cheerful puppets.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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