1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity
in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
Rather than the usual palace ballroom festivities, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter held a birthday bash in the Britannia’s state dining room (per Reader’s Digest).
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
For the last few years, the Sussexes have made a habit of kicking off the festivities together a year before each edition of this sporting competition for war veterans and wounded soldiers created by Prince Harry in 2014.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
If the opportunity comes up during the nominees’ festivities, what would Narucki say to Mitchell?
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
For the last few years, the Sussexes have made a habit of kicking off the festivities together a year before each edition of this sporting competition for war veterans and wounded soldiers created by Prince Harry in 2014.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
If the opportunity comes up during the nominees’ festivities, what would Narucki say to Mitchell?
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
Ian Schrager’s Italian protégé Aldo Melpignano promises to bring the same energy and cheerfulness that the Borgo Egnazia is known for, though here with a South Tyrolean style.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
That indefatigable cheerfulness, even when describing scenes that sound brutal to almost anyone else, ran through the entire interview.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The weekend celebration started on Friday with a roller skating party on the smooth arena floor followed by a full schedule on Saturday of performances by local artists, tours and refreshments.—
Doug Duran,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Rangers celebrated their 1994 championship team before the game as part of the franchise's centennial celebration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
-
The merrymaking vibes are cemented with a glowing carousel, nativity scenes (belénes), and loads of handcrafted ornaments and gifts to choose from.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
His former teammates watched the highlight reel with glee from afar.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Not only do the four statues bode well for the film’s future, but the room buzzed with good will for Anderson, who didn’t try to hide his glee.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visit the chestnut, prosciutto and truffle festivals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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In recent years, the festival has expanded its offerings to attendees, including beers from outside the country, non-alcoholic beers, ciders and even some hard liquors.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The lounge will be open nightly for pre- and post-show revelry, even for guests not attending the performance.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Some main streets maintain a quieter, almost nostalgic presence, while others are more lively (take a walk down Nashville’s Lower Broadway at night for a real dose of honky-tonk revelry).—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Around her, dozens of community members lingered along the street with coffee handed out by volunteers, hugging old friends, calling out familiar names and answering a steady chorus of car horns with cheers and applause as students made their way toward campus, backpacks slung over their shoulders.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The husband and wife would visit different hospitals, spreading cheer to children, as documented on her social media.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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