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
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.
—
Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
On April 1, the full moon in Libra lights up your festive fifth house of love, passion and self-expression, bringing a playful storyline to the forefront.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Several Greater Cincinnati restaurants are offering specialty menus and festive events this year.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
Great effort has been made to transform what is ordinarily a plain, beige room into a festive space.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
On April 1, the full moon in Libra lights up your festive fifth house of love, passion and self-expression, bringing a playful storyline to the forefront.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Several Greater Cincinnati restaurants are offering specialty menus and festive events this year.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
Great effort has been made to transform what is ordinarily a plain, beige room into a festive space.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Petrie, Doz and Morrow play multiple roles, including a gossipy Greek chorus and the band of merry fisherman (truly an astonishing array of Canadian accent work on display).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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These are the chapters that feature the merry trickster of the forest, Tom Bombadil, a classic fiddle-dee-dee-mischief type who waylays the hobbits at the onset of their quest.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Security grows as the emotional Moon in your 2nd House of Production trines cheerful Jupiter in your 10th House of Gains.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
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For a cheerful addition to your front door that looks warm and welcoming, look no further than this wreath.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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