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
Held every June, this tradition celebrates the year’s harvest with a festive parade, classic car displays, live music, and what feels like endless fresh-cut watermelon.
—
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Some social media posts and photos showed Saturday’s crowds in a festive mood.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Karol sings on the track as a rush of trumpets and drums set a festive vibe.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
All the while, the fans and the stars bring good tidings of cheer, joy and hilarity to festive events like carol-oke, holiday trivia challenges and Christmas competitions.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 14 June 2025
Some social media posts and photos showed Saturday’s crowds in a festive mood.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Karol sings on the track as a rush of trumpets and drums set a festive vibe.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
All the while, the fans and the stars bring good tidings of cheer, joy and hilarity to festive events like carol-oke, holiday trivia challenges and Christmas competitions.
—Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Audiences already know what to expect from Buzz Lightyear, Woody and their merry band of talking toys.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
23 June 2025
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Will the market continue to trudge along its merry path?—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 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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Diana wore the cheerful frock on several occasions between 1988 and 1992, often during hospital visits and moments of connection with patients.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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Volunteers from a nonprofit that trains service dogs, Helping Paws Inc., provided a little canine therapy for waiting mourners Friday at the Capitol, working the crowd with cheerful golden retrievers.—
John Hanna,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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