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
They were used as mortuary offerings and in festive settings for around 10,000 years.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Reliance has said festive season demand last year was split across second and third quarters, resulting in softer growth numbers.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Finally, for an extra dose of festive energy, plan your visit around spring events like Treefort Music Fest or the Boise Flower & Garden Show.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
What happened in between, however, was less festive, with the Heat falling 135-123, in a game Wiggins scored 18 points in the first half and none in the second.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Reliance has said festive season demand last year was split across second and third quarters, resulting in softer growth numbers.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Finally, for an extra dose of festive energy, plan your visit around spring events like Treefort Music Fest or the Boise Flower & Garden Show.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026
What happened in between, however, was less festive, with the Heat falling 135-123, in a game Wiggins scored 18 points in the first half and none in the second.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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In fact, the more, the merrier!—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Jan. 2026
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Our young hero Spike (Alfie Williams), having abandoned the secluded safety of his island home in the wake of his mother’s death, finds himself at the mercy of this merry band of bloodthirsty pranksters, shepherded by a sadistic Manson-esque leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell).—
Katie Walsh,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The surviving kids begin to suspect something is up, but their attempts to appeal to this world’s sad excuses for adult supervision — a jolly mailman, a blank-faced nurse, and a talking train — just lead to more murders.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
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The jolly grifter gets away with it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Decorate cupcakes, ice cream, cookies, and even pancakes with this cheerful Valentine's Day sprinkle mix.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
21 Jan. 2026
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Pinterest sought a color that is fun, energizing, and cheerful, and Persimmon rolls all those attributes into one playful shade.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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