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
Speaking of summertime festivities, glassware multi-packs also make the perfect wedding gift!
—
Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Just before noon that day, about 25,000 people packed Independence Square at Trade and Tryon streets in Charlotte for festivities celebrating the first lady’s arrival, Schmidt reports.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
Chatting to her camera in an Tuesday, April 14 TikTok, the content creator got ready for her 23rd birthday festivities, breaking down her plans and sharing musings on the last year.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
East Shore The less developed and far less visited East Shore of Jost Van Dyke feels a world away from the festivities of White Bay Beach.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Just before noon that day, about 25,000 people packed Independence Square at Trade and Tryon streets in Charlotte for festivities celebrating the first lady’s arrival, Schmidt reports.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
Chatting to her camera in an Tuesday, April 14 TikTok, the content creator got ready for her 23rd birthday festivities, breaking down her plans and sharing musings on the last year.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
East Shore The less developed and far less visited East Shore of Jost Van Dyke feels a world away from the festivities of White Bay Beach.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
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As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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Lastly, yellow tulips symbolize cheerfulness, happiness, and optimism.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 19-year-old princess joined her fellow London residents in celebration on May 9, 1945, the day after VE Day.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The effect is meant to be a celebration of the Sonoran Desert, as well as a cautionary tale about humans' impact on it, said Shaw.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
New York with aplomb, expressing glee about the network being able to keep the project a secret.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
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Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Neon has swooped in to take North American rights to the film ahead of its festival bow.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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The festival, continuing through May 3 across downtown Hot Springs, features culinary and design experiences, workshops, performances, gallery walk and studio tours.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Between French Quarter revelry, Cajun and Creole eats, and Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans is a classic Louisiana destination for visitors—but there's so much more to the Bayou State than the Big Easy.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
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On an average day, Curaçao’s eclectic energy animates the island, but this period is especially boisterous—filled with costumed performers, twinkling floats, an abundance of music and good-natured, family-friendly revelry.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lanie breaks into the merriment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
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And with that same energy, my wife and I trodded further into the fair in hot pursuit of merriment and wonder.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Hollywood premiere last night was something spiritual, with rolling cheers and applause throughout the film’s 127-minute running time at the Dolby Theatre.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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Generations of Spartan students have taken their turns painting new designs and images on the rock, ranging from memorial tributes to cheers for special events.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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