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
In a way, the intrusion of violence into the otherwise festive dinner did manage to galvanize a sense of comity between bitter political rivals.
—
Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
The celebration comes full circle with a festive Community Day Party hosted by Morrison's family at the Steel City Lounge, owned by her niece.
—Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
If your backyard allows, carving out a bar area can add an extra festive, hotel-like touch.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Bali is during both the summer holiday months and the local festive season.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
The celebration comes full circle with a festive Community Day Party hosted by Morrison's family at the Steel City Lounge, owned by her niece.
—Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
If your backyard allows, carving out a bar area can add an extra festive, hotel-like touch.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Bali is during both the summer holiday months and the local festive season.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Knoxville and his merry band of delightfully sadistic goons are back for one possibly final rodeo.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
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October welcomes the annual Amelia Island Jazz Festival, and December plays host to Dickens on Centre, which gives downtown Fernandina a merry Victorian makeover just before Christmas.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In recent years, Grohl has been in the news for less cheerful reasons.—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just take a look at how this fence mural by Sarah Murphy adds a cheerful pop of color to this outdoor space.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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