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
The festive weekend in San Clemente, California, came to a dramatic halt on Monday morning, July 7.
—
Anna Turning, NBC news, 28 July 2025
Soft gingerbread cookies with a sugary crunch in festive fall packaging
Club Pack Brownie Pumpkins: Fall-favorite Little Debbie Brownie Pumpkins will be available in a convenient 20-count Club Pack format.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 30 July 2025
The Christmas showcase marks the first-ever live holiday shows in the United States for the British singer, who's led festive tours — including 2023's Christmas with Love Tour — through Europe.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 29 July 2025
There was nothing festive about their 10th loss in 12 games to continue what’s been a sudden and unexpected fall to the fringes of contention.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Anna Turning, NBC news, 28 July 2025
Soft gingerbread cookies with a sugary crunch in festive fall packaging
Club Pack Brownie Pumpkins: Fall-favorite Little Debbie Brownie Pumpkins will be available in a convenient 20-count Club Pack format.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 30 July 2025
The Christmas showcase marks the first-ever live holiday shows in the United States for the British singer, who's led festive tours — including 2023's Christmas with Love Tour — through Europe.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 29 July 2025
There was nothing festive about their 10th loss in 12 games to continue what’s been a sudden and unexpected fall to the fringes of contention.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Instead, they are pressured into becoming guests of the castle's owner, a transvestite mad scientist called Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), and his merry bad of misfits.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Aug. 2025
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Robin Hood and his merry men were yeomen of the most courageous sort.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 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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The movie’s most affecting moments are between Lynette and her brother, played with disarming cheerful innocence by Gottsagen and with alarming distress when Kenny is placed in tense situations.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
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Others expressed their appreciation for the remodel, calling it bright and cheerful.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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