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
The Dragon Boat Festival was celebrated Friday across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan with colorful boat races, lion dances and other festivities.
—
ABC News, 19 June 2026
But when a wedding planner debunked the idea that festivities at Ocean House, the hotel near Swift's Rhode Island estate, were for the Grammy winner and NFL superstar, speculation shifted to July 3 in New York.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Spectators peer out of windows on Maiden Lane hoping to see the festivities.
—Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Most of the festivities will be held at Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
ABC News, 19 June 2026
But when a wedding planner debunked the idea that festivities at Ocean House, the hotel near Swift's Rhode Island estate, were for the Grammy winner and NFL superstar, speculation shifted to July 3 in New York.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Spectators peer out of windows on Maiden Lane hoping to see the festivities.
—Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Most of the festivities will be held at Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
Wine-Coca conduces to mental activity and clearness, prevents fatigue and exhaustion, brings cheerfulness and sweet refreshing sleep.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
This kind of optimism and cheerfulness can make leaders more empathetic and pleasant to work with, partly because psychology research finds that positive moods increase helping, generosity and interpersonal understanding.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
With stages stretching from Freedom Corner to the Point and crowds growing every year, Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth celebration has evolved into a centerpiece of the city’s summer calendar and a living testament to Black culture, commerce and community pride downtown.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
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The 23rd annual Sacramento Juneteenth celebration filled William Land Park on Saturday with a parade of 15 contingents and a festival with educational exhibits on Black American history.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Once ground was completely covered with shards of tableware, folks journeyed from their seats into the center of the room for more dancing and merrymaking.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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Just for Fun Driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a wave of playful merrymaking that embraces maximalism, humor, and individuality is on the rise, Michaels reports.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Because in a country increasingly divided by social justice causes and their opposing viewpoints, fans increasingly care where their sports teams stand — sometimes to fans' glee or chagrin — depending on whether their opinions agree with that of their teams or leagues.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
To our glee, the air mattresses floated him high in the water.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The organizers of a family-friendly bluegrass festival have cancelled their fall festival, according to an announcement made on the event’s website.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
-
The Score Lawrence street festival is rocking with live music, carnival games and balloon art ahead of tonight’s showdown between Argentina and Algeria.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Ten police officers were injured in the post-game revelry, including one who was struck in the face with a glass bottle, the NYPD said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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The Pines, for instance, is noted for gay revelry amid geometrically precise houses by Horace Gifford, Harry Bates, and other important modernist architects.—
Fred A. Bernstein,
Architectural Digest,
8 June 2026
Noun
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As he was handcuffed and removed from the courtroom, spectators erupted in cheers and applause, according to footage from the courtroom.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Supporters for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, cheer as local politicians speak at Jackson’s election night party at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North during the 2026 Georgia primary elections runoff, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Atlanta.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Their laughs and chatter fill the countryside and one another’s hearts, the merriment binding them all together like caterpillars in one big cocoon.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Lanie breaks into the merriment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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